Imaginext Dragon World Fortress

The Imaginext Dragon World Fortress playset is perfect for the little dragon slayer in your family.  The playset is a tall and towering fortress that reveals a world of imaginative play with surprise features and a full range of accessories. Stocked with interactive features, this toy kept our young testers busy and happy for hours!  The two knights that are included can be placed on the multiple activation disks and twisted to reveal great actions and special features such as opening the front door, moving the dragon’s head, or opening of the hidden staircase.  Your little one can also fire canons at the dragon and roll boulders down the dragon’s tail.  Our testers really love the variety of sound and light effects on the fortress.  There is lightning, thunder, and fierce dragon sounds.  All perfect for a little boy!  (Not to say our little girl testers didn’t love it as well!) The fortress includes two knights with helmets, shields and weapons, two flags, two boulders, one bed and 3 AA batteries.  It is designed for children 3-8 years old and retails for $54.99.  

SHOP Imaginext Dragon World Fortress

Precious Places Swan Palace

The Precious Places Swan Palace is a magical playset for your little princess.  Our little princess testers were busy for hours with this magical palace that is filled with interactive features, lights and music.  It includes a princess and her prince that each having their own thrones that transforms into a banquet room with the turn of one of the figures on the activation disk.  There is a hidden bed for a princess nap and a mirrored dressing room to get ready for the ball.  The second floor of the playset was a big hit with our testers because the princess and prince can waltz to the music at their own ball.  When the figures are places on the activation disks (there is even room for an additional couple that is sold separately), a giant heart lights up and a variety of dancing music plays.  Plus, there is a treasure room on the second floor for the princess to keep an eye on her treasure complete with more lights and magical sound effects.  The playset has a handy carry handle and the back portion (the banquet hall/throne room) folds up for travel.  With all its interactive features that promote imaginative play, this Palace was a big hit with all our testers!  Swan Palace comes with the Swan Palace Princess (Sirina), a prince, three pieces of headgear for the princess, one piece of headgear for the prince, one scepter, two flag toppers and two swans. The Palace is for children 3 and up and retails for $49.99. 

SHOP Precious Places Swan Palace

Easy baby or not, every new mama has some essential products that they depend on during the first month of their baby’s life and I am no exception.  I have some go-to items that make everything just a bit easier.  Some things – A LOT easier!  I thought I would put together a list of some of my current personal favorite must-haves that have gotten me through month one.  Of course, there are other products that will be needed in later months – but here are my everyday baby essentials for life with Sutton. 

*Disclaimer:  This is not a complete list!  And, yes, I use essentials such as a crib and a car seat that are not on the list.  Please don’t email and tell me that I should be using a car seat!  Of course, I’m using a car seat.  I just thought that was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be added to my list.  

Nursing Cover
My personal choice:  Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover
I think my baby considers me a cafeteria many days.  He can just visit and snack all day long!  We are trying to establish a schedule but like many moms know, a newborn nurses on demand at the beginning.  Does he care if we are out running errands?  Nope.  Does he care if company is over?  Heck no.  When he wants to eat, the world stops.  So, my nursing cover is always with me.  And it’s used A LOT!  I especially like my Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover because the pattern is chic, the rigid neckline allows to me see my baby without everyone seeing him nurse, and the fabric is lightweight so that he doesn’t get too warm in the summer heat.  

Nursing Pillow
My personal choice:  Boppy Nursing Pillow
So, as I said, we are nursing a lot!  When I am feeding at home, I depend on my nursing pillow to make it an easier and more comfortable experience. The Boppy wraps around the front of me and lifts my baby up to a more comfortable position for nursing.  Plus, it takes the pressure off of my arms because the pillow supports his weight.  Okay, it’s only 8 lbs – but 8 lbs can get heavy 12 times a day!  Did I forget to tell you that he eats 10-12 times a day?

Breast Pump
My personal choice:  Medela Freestyle
Yes, we are still talking about boobs!  This is a new item on my favorites list.  Well, a breast pump isn’t really a favorite product of mine because it makes me feel very “cow-like” – but in my case, it will be a necessity.  I had never personally used a breast pump before (not with either of my first two babies).  So, I was a bit nervous.  In preparation for an out of town trip coming in September, I decided a breast pump was in order this time.  The Medela Freestyle is amazing especially for a new pumper like me.  It’s an electric pump that allows me to pump one breast at a time or both at the same time to get it done quickly.  The Freestyle is lightweight, compact and even comes with a handy bag to travel with.  The Freestyle and I are still getting to know each other – so stay tuned for my full review of the Medela Freestyle.  

Peg Perego Tatamia
Now, this is another new item on my favorites list! The new Peg Perego Tatamia is a multipurpose baby seat that is a triple threat in the world of baby gear. This versatile seat does the duty of three pieces of baby gear that can be used from birth to preschool age. The Tatamia works as a baby recliner, a swing, and a high chair.

We only use the Tatamia in two of the three functions right now but we use it every single day.  Since I have a very energetic 2 ½ year old, I love that I can put the baby up in the baby recliner out of his brother’s reach.  The recliner sets up high (about the height of a high chair) and has been my go-to place to set Sutton down when I can’t carry him around.  (I applaud those moms that can carry their newborn around all day but it’s not me.  Remember those two other kids?)  His overly-loving brother can see him but can’t actually get to him to try to take him out like on a normal bouncy seat.  The swing feature is also nice for those times that he is a bit fussy.  I would like the swing a bit better if it had a motor – but I am able to swing it with my foot as I am typing away on the computer.  Now, that’s multi-tasking at its finest!  *To see my full review with video of the Tatamia visit:  http://www.babygizmo.com/news/pegperegotatamia.php

Swaddle Blanket
My personal choice:  SwaddleMe
Yep, I’m a swaddler.  My babies just sleep better that way.  And whatever helps baby sleep – helps mama sleep.  The SwaddleMe blanket is a specially designed blanket that makes swaddling your baby super easy. The “fabric wings” allow me to wrap his upper body snuggly and stays put with two Velcro fasteners. It has a leg pouch that is roomy enough for him to kick a bit if he wants to and is easy to bring down to change his diaper without unwrapping his arms. The best thing about the SwaddleMe is that it’s quick and easy to use.

Double Stroller
In order to take the three kids out by myself, I cannot live without a double stroller.  Okay, maybe I could live without a double stroller – but why would I want to?  My son (remember we affectionately refer to him as the “runner”) still needs to be seated in a stroller when we are out in a busy, public place.  And unless I’m wearing my newborn (ala sling-style), a double stroller is a much needed product for us.  We have been testing a few really great double strollers this summer – so we don’t always use the same one.  That’s why I don’t list “my personal choice”.  Okay, if you pressure me about it…a few of my favorites are the Bumbleride Indie Twin, Uppa Baby Vista with Rumbleseat, Baby Jogger City Mini Double and the new Tech Tike Double City X3. 

Diaper Bag
My personal choice:  Storksak Gigi
With three kids, a large diaper bag is a must have for me.  I carry with me:  bottles, sippy cups, juice boxes, snacks, toys, diapers, wipes and much, much more.  So, in anticipation of Sutton’s birth, I chose the Storksak Gigi as my main diaper bag.  It is large and has three separate zippered compartments to keep all my on-the-go essentials organized.  It comes with a large changing pad and a bottle pouch and I love that it looks more like a large purse than a diaper bag.

Binky Holder
My personal choice:  JJ Cole Pacifier Pod
This is a small item but it’s still an every day essential for me.  Since I like quiet, calm babies – I am a big advocate of pacifiers.  Since I keep a pacifier with me where ever we go – I like to keep them in a pacifier holder to keep them clean.  The JJ Cole Pacifier Pod comes in a few great colors/patterns (I have the one in blue square) and hangs nicely off the side of my purse or diaper bag.  This pod is great for holding one pacifier so that I always know where one is in a hurry…unless I forget to put on in, of course. 

Sling
My personal choice:  Hotsling
I must admit that I don’t use my sling every day but I do use it.  When I need a little hands-free time but my baby needs some bonding time, I throw on my Hotsling and we are ready to go.  When I go out, I always make sure that I throw my sling in the diaper bag so that I have it just in case I need it. 

Video Monitor
My personal choice:  Summer Infant Handheld Video Monitor
I LOVE my video monitor!  I have been using it everyday for 2 ½ years.  Yep, you heard that right – every single day!  I have had to order a new battery once but other than that it has been going strong since I bought it.  (Well, we did have a little episode where my 4 year old poured water into her camera in her room – so I do recommend that you keep the camera out of reach of your children no matter what age.  Water + camera = bad news!)  Other than our little camera snafu, we now have two cameras that work on the same handheld unit giving me a great picture in my two youngest kids’ rooms day or night.  I can switch from one camera to the other with a simple flip of a switch.   No matter what size house you live in – I highly recommend a video monitor!

While no incidents related to the pieces have been reported, BabySwede, the North American distributor, received notification from BabyBjörn AB, the manufacturer, that two consumers in Japan had found small metal pieces in the padded section of the babysitter’s fabric seat. After further inspection by BabyBjörn AB of 15,000 babysitters, five more small metal pieces were found. As a precaution, BabySwede is performing a voluntary recall of the product. Small, sharp metal objects found in the padded area of the bouncer chair can protrude, posing a laceration hazard to children.

The Babysitter Balance subject to this recall is model 0090 and is sold under the brand name “BABYBJÖRN®.” It can be used for infants weighing between 8 pounds and 29 pounds and is sold in five colors: Black/Silver, Black/Red, Dark Blue/Blue, Brown/Beige and White Air.

The Babysitter Balance has been sold nationwide at independent juvenile retailers, mass retailers, Internet retailers, and catalogs from September 2008 through July 2009 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $169.95 for the BABYBJÖRN® Babysitter Balance and $189.95 for the BABYBJÖRN® Babysitter Balance Air.

Consumers should stop using the Babysitter Balance and contact BabySwede LLC toll-free at (866) 424-0200 for instructions on returning the babysitter for inspection. Consumers may also visit www.babyswede.com or write to the company at 1157 Rockside Road, Cleveland, OH 44134.

The collection boasts a variety of trendy items featuring fashion forward colors, modern designs, and innovative and useful concepts.  Both practical and functional, the Lässig line has something for everyone!

Lässig has an Earth-friendly focus!  All products are made of 100% pollutant-free materials and contain no PVC, nickel, AZO dyes or phthalates.

Some of our favorite products from the Lassig line are:

Diaper Bags:  Lässig offers diaper bags that will appeal to every taste.  From classic, to trendy, to sophisticated…to just plain cool, moms will find a bag that fits into their lifestyle.  There are trendy messenger bags, chic Urban Bags, Shoulder Bags, Easy Bags and Square Bags.  We love that every bag features stroller clips to allow the bags to hang off the back of strollers, changing mats, wet compartments, and fun colors and designs that keep up with the latest fashions.  And the coolest thing about these bags is that many of them don’t look like diaper bags!  There are even business inserts to convert the bag into an office bag when your diaper bag carrying days are over. 

Kids Bags: Lässig has a fun kid’s collection that includes small backpacks, messenger bags, and trolleys (small rolling suitcases) featuring colorful designs such as crocodiles, outer space and deer.  The kid’s collection has styles similar to those of their parents.  Our favorites are the adorable backpacks!

Car Wrap to Go:  The Car Wrap to Go is a great car organizer that hangs off the back of the seat to keep all your kid’s on-the-go toys, snacks and drinks in one place.  We’ve seen plenty of boring car organizers but the Lässig Car Wrap to Go is super fun by having 6 different pockets and compartments and comes in 4 fun colors.  

Allover: The Lässig Allover is a unique product for a new mom that incorporates a nursing wrap, a scarf and a stylish shawl/poncho all-in-one.  Because of this multi-functionality, the mother can use the Allover as a fashion accessory and not simply a nursing wrap.

Belly Bands:  Now we have all seen pregnant belly bands that moms-to-be wear under their clothes.  Lässig Belly Bands are different!  The Belly Bands by Lässig come in numerous colors and patterns and are intended to be worn over the clothes to not only extend the life of women’s maternity wardrobes but allow pregnant women to accessorize their bellies.  These trendy and chic belly bands are really fun and we can’t wait for our pregnant mama friends to try them out. 

 To check out Laessig’s full line, visit:  www.laessig-fashion.com

Trends for Kids (TFK) has been popular in Europe since it was founded in 1997. Sold in more than 15 countries, TFK made its way across the pond to make its US debut in November 2008. With its high quality German design, great features and sporty looks, the TFK stroller may soon be a major US favorite.

The Buggster S stroller may look familiar because Valco Baby distributed the basic Buggster in the US a few years back. Now that TFK is in the US, Valco Baby no longer distributes the stroller for TFK. The Buggster S is an upgraded version of the basic Buggster featuring a 3 wheel suspension system and a foot rest, two features that the basic Buggster did not have.

The first thing we noticed about the Buggster S was how large and wide the seat was. The seat on the Buggster S is very wide and roomy, making for a comfortable ride for even an older child. The seat is one of the widest seats we have seen on a single stroller and our testers fit easily with plenty of room to spare! The Buggster S has a recommended weight capacity of 55 lbs, so even our older toddlers and kids can jump in for a ride. There is an adjustable, non-padded 5-point harness for safety that can be adjusted for our smaller riders as well as the larger ones. There is a flip-up footrest for the comfort of our older riders as well.

The seat is well padded with a removable AIRGO breathable seat insert to help with air circulation. The seat has a 2 position recline that reclines about half way back but still great for our riders to snooze. In order to recline the seat, there is a zipper system that requires mom or dad to unzip a zipper on each side. If we could make one change, it would be that they change the zipper feature to a one-handed bar recline that would be easier for parent to do with a child in the seat. Since the seat doesn’t recline flat, it is only recommended for babies 6+ months. Fortunately, there is a carrycot sold separately for newborns as well as a car seat adapter for use with the Maxi Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat. A car seat adapter for use with Graco and Peg Perego Infant Car Seats will be available soon.

The seat fabric is durable and easily removable and washable. There is an adjustable (2 positions) and removable bumper bar but no cup holders or snack trays for either mom or baby. (Remember, Europeans don’t eat and drink on the go.)

The Buggster S has a sun canopy that isn’t the biggest on the market but not the smallest either. It provides adequate shade for your baby but we’d like it a more if it was larger and shaded our little rider’s legs. TFK does offer a UV Sun Cover as an additional accessory which is great to add for more sun protection. There is a rather large basket (for a lightweight stroller) underneath that accommodates a medium to large size diaper bag and is easy to access from the sides or rear of the stroller.

The handles are high, and even though they not adjustable, we found that they are ergonomically designed and are plenty high for our taller husbands and mama friends.

There are three 6 1/2 inch, wide wheels that give the Buggster S great maneuverability. If you prefer four wheels, there is a double front wheel accessory sold separately. The stroller glides along effortlessly and the lightness of the frame allows us to easily push it with one hand, even with a larger toddler aboard. The stroller turns easily and even though it’s not an all-terrain stroller, the spring loaded wheels giving the stroller great suspension, allows it to handle bumpy roads, brick streets and small rocks with ease. A great feature of the wheels is that the front swivel wheel can also lock straight with the turn of the large dial under the footrest to handle bumpy terrains even easier. There is also a one-step parking brake that securely locks both back wheels at once.

The Buggster S has a two-step, two-handed folding system (three steps if you include locking the stroller) that ends in a flat, rather compact fold. The folding process is easy and quick once you get the hang of it. There is a manual lock on the side of the stroller to keep the stroller closed while transporting. Unfolding the stroller also has a couple steps but is easy to do.

Weighing in at 15.4 lbs, the Buggster S is lightweight and easy to transport. This sporty stroller comes in blue, black, red, mandarine, pebble, mud, olive, and navy.

Retailing at an expensive $349, with its fabulously wide seat, great maneuverability, sturdy construction, and the ability to work with a carrycot or an infant car seat, we recommend you check out the TFK Buggster S.

To watch our full video review of the TFK Buggster S click the video below:

SHOP TFK Buggster S

The Joggster Twist is TFK’s sporty single stroller for the modern sport-minded parents. This fabulous all-terrain stroller has some outstanding features that could possibly make it the sport stroller for you.

The first things we noticed about the Joggster Twist were how great and sporty it looked as well as how large the seat was. The Joggster Twist sports a large, roomy seat that accommodates even our larger kids. With a high weight capacity of 55 lbs, we found that even our 5 and 6 year olds could jump in for a ride. The quality and construction of the stroller is so good that we think the stroller could accommodate even more weight with ease. We found that the seat has a very tall seat back (25 inches from seat to canopy) that accommodates even taller children without their heads brushing the canopy.

There is padded 5-point, adjustable harness for safety and a foot rest that not only flips up for folding but slides up the frame for the comfort of taller and shorter riders. The seat also features 3 strengthening plates (which absorb shock and provide back/lumbar support) that were designed by doctors to make sure the spine of the child is in a healthy position. The seat is padded with 3 recline positions, including almost flat. In order to recline the seat, there is a zipper system that requires mom or dad to unzip a zipper on each side. If we could make one change, it would be that they change the zipper feature to a one-handed bar recline that would be easier for parents to do.

The seat fabric is durable, water resistant, non-fade fabric which is both non-abrasive and easily removable and washable. There is an adjustable and removable bumper bar but no cup holders or snack trays for either mom or baby. (Remember, Europeans don’t eat and drink on the go.)

We love that the Joggster Twist sports an adjustable handle bar (up and down but not telescoping) that is great for taller and shorter parents. It’s easy to operate with two push buttons on the sides and can be set at any position including all the way up for taller parents and all the way down so that other siblings can “help” push the stroller. The handle bar on the stroller is also nicely padded and comfortable to hold.

The Joggster Twist has a decent size canopy that isn’t the largest or the smallest on the market but has a very large peek-a-boo UV protected window (with cover). There is also an optional zip on UV sun cover accessory if you are looking for more sun protection. A fantastic feature of the canopy is the detachable mosquito net that rolls up into the front of the canopy so that you always have it with you. No more forgetting the mosquito net or realizing you can’t find it while out and about! This mosquito net reaches all the way to the footrest, completely enclosing your child.

This stroller is stocked with storage! Underneath the seat, is a rather large basket that we had no problem fitting a medium size diaper bag or many baby essentials in. Besides the basket underneath, there is a zipper pocket on the back of the seat for mom essentials, two zipper pockets on the sides of the canopy and a two zipper pouches on the each side of the seat for extra storage.

The large (12 1/2 inch rear and 10 inch front) air-filled tires charge through all kinds of different terrain. Grass, playground mulch, rocky road – no problem! We found it can be used for bumpy roads, hiking, running, and just walking around the city. When running with this stroller we barely have to push it as it glides along the pavement. With its fabulous suspension system and rear shock absorbers, the Joggster Twist also provides a very smooth ride for baby. Even though the tires are air-filled, TFK failed to provide a tire pump with the stroller though.

While the Joggster Twist is not for the serious marathon runner, we found that with the sturdy frame, lockable front wheel, and the air-filled tires, we had no problem taking it for light jogs. The stroller also has a strap that you can attach to your wrist in case you are going down hill to prevent you from losing control of the stroller.

The front swivel wheel provides amazing maneuverability and locks straight for use on rougher terrain. The front swivel wheel is what differentiates the Joggster Twist from the Joggster III which has a fixed front wheel. Even with the stroller fully loaded, we had no problem maneuvering this stroller even one-handed. There is a convenient and easy to use hand-operated disc brake, located on the handlebar, which allows parents to slow the stroller while in motion or lock the wheels when the stroller is parked. We love that you don’t have to use your foot or scuff your shoes to lock this stroller.

The Joggster Twist basically folds in half into a compact fold, making transporting this stroller good regarding the size. There are a couple steps to folding the stroller but we found that they are easy and quick to do. There is a manual locking strap on the side to lock the stroller closed for transporting. Since the “lock” is a strap with a hole at the end that hooks on a metal knob on the frame, we did find that the strap doesn’t always stay. We would suggest a more sturdy (and automatic) lock for this stroller so that we don’t have to worry about it unlocking on us when we lift it in and out of our trunks.

Weighing in at 28 lbs, we found the stroller weight average to a bit heavy for an all-terrain stroller. With such a sturdy stroller, we expected this weight though. We didn’t have too much trouble lifting it in and out of our trunk and found popping off the front tire gave it a bit more compact of a fold. Note: Since the rear wheels have the disc brake system, the rear wheels do not just pop off in a jiffy.

There are a few great accessories sold separately that work great with the Joggster Twist. The bassinet/carrycot is great to turn the stroller into a pram for newborns. The universal car seat adapter sold separately turns the stroller into a travel system. Also available is a rain cover, UV sun cover, fleece foot muff, travel bag and rain and sun covers for the bassinet.

This sporty stroller comes in a variety of colors, including as blue, black, and red. With its very sturdy construction, adjustable handle, fabulous maneuverability, very roomy seat and lots of storage, the TFK Joggster Twist is a great option for sports-minded parents.

To watch our full video review of the TFK Joggster Twist, click the video below:

SHOP all TFK Strollers

The Jeep Traveler Tandem has two roomy seats, each complete with a padded, 5-point harness that is also adjustable for a growing child.  The front seat has two positions, upright and partially reclined, a weight capacity of 40 lbs and has a drink holder, plus a cute little play steering wheel for your little rider.  We also like that the front seat doesn’t have a baby bar all the way across allowing our older toddlers to get in and out of the seat on their own very easily. 

The rear seat has a 40 lb limit and four recline positions including completely flat.  If using the seat in the full recline position, the manufacturer recommends always using the safety boot to turn the seat into a bassinet-type environment.  By following the directions, we found assembling the attached safety boot into position easy to do. 

The rear seat also accepts a wide variety of infant car seats with no additional adapters to turn the stroller into a travel system.  All you have to do is set the infant car seat in the fully reclined seat (with the safety boot) and secure the car seat with the attached safety seats.  The stroller accepts over 21 different infant car seats, so just check to make sure your particular one is one the list. 

There are two independent canopies on the Jeep Traveler Tandem. The back canopy is very large to completely shade the rear rider but is missing the peek-a-boo window we are used to seeing.  The front canopy is smaller but can be rotated to block the angle of the sun.  Each canopy also has a pop-out sun visor to block a bit more sun. 

We love that there is a telescoping handle with three positions to accommodate parents of differing height.   The Jeep Tandem features two baskets underneath.  There is a large, easily accessible basket under the rear seat with a lower and load design that allows you to access the basket even when the seat is fully reclined.  There is a medium size basket under the front seat that can be accessed through a hole in the front of the basket or between the two seats, which could prove to be tricky with a rear rider aboard.  Even though there is no parent console, there is a detachable cup holder on the handlebar for mom. 

Folding the stroller is rather easy to do but there are a few steps. The fold consists of: 1) lowering the rear basket 2) folding the front canopy all the way forward while pushing the back canopy all the way back past the handlebar 3) adjusting the rear seat all the way forward past the upright position 4) sliding the safety lock at the top of the handlebar to the left while squeezing the folding trigger to unlock the handlebar 5) as you push down on the handlebar with one hand and then forward, you grab one of the side handles of the stroller frame and simultaneously pull towards you.  After you do these steps, the stroller folds down and locks automatically with a side lock.  There is even a more compact folded position by lifting the footrest up on the stroller after it is folded.  Sounds like a lot of steps?  It really isn’t once you get the hang of it.  Plus, these steps are definitely worth it considering how compact the stroller folds down.  This stroller is advertised as the Traveler Tandem “No SUV Required – ultra compact fold” and they are right.  This compact folded stroller fit into every small sedan trunk we tried because not every mom has a minivan, SUV or even the room the spare.  Another great feature of the folded stroller is that you can pull the stroller by the handlebar behind you like luggage. 

Even though it has an ultra compact fold, the stroller is still very heavy!  (Typical for a full-size double stroller) When we weighed the stroller, it weighed in at a heavy 38 lbs!  What does that mean to you?  It is going to take some muscle to get this in and out of your trunk and you will feel the weight when you push it fully loaded.  C-section mamas shouldn’t expect to be lifting this 38 lb behemoth into your trunk for quite a while.  Like most tandem, full-size strollers, you should expect this to be a two-handed push and after pushing it for a while (especially fully loaded), you will feel it in your wrists and arms.  Ever try to turn a 118 lb stroller (38 stroller weight + 80 lb capacity) with one hand?  Doesn’t happen!  With two hands and a bit of energy, we found maneuvering this stroller not to bad though – very standard for a double. 

Even though mom is using a bit of energy with this stroller, with large 8-inch wheels and front wheel suspension, the Jeep Tandem provided a smooth, effortless ride for our children.  There are brakes on the rear wheels that have to be set individually but we found were secure once set. 

This tandem stroller is a very sturdy workhorse stroller that has some great features but can definitely weigh you down. If weight isn’t an issue with you, the Jeep Traveler Tandem with its fabulously compact fold, two baskets, two roomy seats, and the ability to accept an infant car seat in the rear, make this a decent option for a very reasonably priced full size double.

To watch our full video review of the Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller, click the video below:

SHOP Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller

This sturdy playard features the standard playard bassinet option, a changing table, music, vibration, nightlight, diaper/wipes organizer, wheels for easy portability, and the Newborn Napper.

This version of the Pack n Play is relatively easy to set up and take down. We say “relatively” because the first time assembling the changing table and Newborn Napper can be a bit time consuming to figure out. Once you figure it out though, it’s not too hard to break this playard down for easy travel. Playards today come with many added and welcome features such as the bassinets and changing tables that add extra time to set up and take down. Just don’t expect to get a playard with all the bells and whistles that you can set up in 2 minutes.

Like all playards, this Pack n Play folds up and fits into a nylon cargo bag (about the size of a small, yet very heavy, golf club bag) for convenient travel. We were not able to fit the changing table and the Newborn Napper in the bag though. IF the wheels were exposed outside the bag when packed up to roll it around – it would be even better! Maybe on their next model?

The changing table is a nice feature to make this a portable changing station for new moms. It has a weight limit of 25 lbs and is super easy to wipe down in case you have a diaper mishap. Unfortunately, Graco didn’t elevate this changing table (as they have on their other models) to save mom and dad’s back during diaper duty. It really needs to be higher as it can be uncomfortably low for taller parents! Also, we would like it more if the table flipped away when not in use but that’s not a deal breaker. Remember a changing table should not be in place when a child is in either the playard or the bassinet.

The sturdy bassinet feature is easy to set up and great for newborns. Unlike some other bassinets, this one is the same size as the playard to accommodate different size babies. The bassinet has a weight limit of 15 lbs or when the infant begins to push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first. The bassinet does not come with a canopy but we think more often than not you will not use the canopy anyway.

Now, the main feature on this playard that makes it stand-out from the rest and why we think this Pack ‘n Play is totally worth the price is the Newborn Napper. The Newborn Napper station looks like a very plush and comfortable bouncy seat that was designed to cuddle your newborn and provide a perfect place for them to rest. The fabric is super soft and it comes with a newborn headrest and a small canopy. Note: The canopy doesn’t fold back so it remains in one place unless you remove it. The Newborn Napper is designed only to be used on the playard and is recommended with a baby from 0-3 months. (While it is to be used with a non-rolling baby there are no straps.) Since the fabric is plush, the Napper is not designed to be a full-time crib for your newborn but a place for parent-supervised naps. The Napper can be hand washed with warm water and household soap which is good because with the plush fabric, a diaper explosion could be disastrous!

The Pack ‘n Play Playard with Newborn Napper also comes with an electronic component that features music and a nightlight with auto-shut off timer. There is also a vibration device that is easy to hook up under the bassinet or on the Newborn Napper to soothe and calm your baby.

There are two wheels on the playard to easily move it from room to room. With a width of 28 ½ inches, you may find that it doesn’t fit through narrow doorways though (our doorways are 28 inches). A diaper/wipes organizer also hangs off the side of the playard for storage. While the organizer is kind of flimsy, it does the job of holding a standard wipes container and quite a few diapers.

Overall, we are always impressed with Graco’s sturdiness of their playards! While we would love a higher changing table, this playard looks great, and has features such as a bassinet, Newborn Napper, changing table and electronics that makes this a top pick for us!

SHOP Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Newborn Napper

The seat on the Si is roomy and provides plenty of space for a child up to the weight capacity of 45 lbs. The seat back is about 20 inches and has a 24 inch clearance from the seat bottom to the canopy to allow enough room even for our older and taller toddlers. Our 4 1/2 year old (40 lb) tester fit comfortably without her head touching the canopy. There is a 5-point, adjustable, padded harness for safety that can convert into a 3-point harness if you would like. The seat sports an adjustable foot rest with two positions and a three position, two-handed reclining backrest. The seat has a deep recline although is not completely flat. Also, with the way that the backrest reclines with two hands, the seat may drop back from the weight of the child unexpectedly when reclining. We would like it a tad more if it were a one-handed recline.

Like many lightweight strollers, the Si does not have a bumper bar, snack tray or cup holder for baby. There is a small cup holder on the side for mom that will hold a water bottle but nothing bigger.

Since not all moms and dads are the same height, the Si has two great telescoping handles with two positions that prevent the tallest parents from kicking the frame. It also has a gigantic sun canopy with peek-a-boo window and a back pocket for extra storage of small items that extends almost all the way in front of your child to completely cover them (except their legs) from the sun and elements. There is even a sun visor that extends from the canopy for extra sun protection. We love this canopy! And on rainy days, you can also use the included rain cover.

The basket is very large for a lightweight stroller and will hold a medium to large sized diaper bag, a couple shopping bags or other baby essentials. The basket is tricky to access from the back of the stroller especially with the seat reclined but don’t worry because it can easily be accessed from the sides. Our one complaint about the basket is that if you load it up or put something heavy in the middle, the basket stretches and has the tendency to drag on the ground.

The wheels are larger than many umbrella strollers, 6.5 inches in fact, but not too large to add too much extra bulk when folded. The extra size does allow for us to take the stroller off-pavement. It won’t handle all terrains, but we’ve successfully navigated gravel, grass and dirt. The four-wheel suspension and lightweight frame gives a great ride and is easy to push and maneuver. We can even maneuver it easily one-handed. The front wheels swivel (with the ability to lock straight) and there is a connected one-touch brake on the rear wheels.

The stroller weighs in at just under 17 lbs. Now, the stroller is officially listed with Peg Perego at 12 lbs but we found that not to be true. Even after weighing it with the canopy removed, it still weighed in at 16 lbs. The stroller is definitely not heavy and is easy to travel with – but just know it is not 12 lbs. Note: We found out that Peg Perego lists the weight without the wheels on. What?!? We stand behind our weight of the Si since we never carry a lightweight stroller without the wheels on!

Our favorite feature of the Si is the compact fold that is great for traveling. You can fold up the stroller with just two easy steps and only one-hand. Makes it a great stroller for public transportation! The Si folds upward into a compact, umbrella standing fold that automatically locks and really does stay upright! If that weren’t enough, there is an easy-to-access handle on the side of the frame that allows you to easily grab hold and swoop up into your trunk or carry it along with you.

The one-handed fold works when unfolding the stroller as well. One lever by the top left handle and a simple shake, and you’re ready to go! Just make sure that the frame is locked in place before you put your child in.

While many other lightweight strollers don’t accommodate an infant car seat, the Si accepts almost all infant car seats out there with a belt path to make it a lightweight travel system even though it is specifically designed for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30. We found that the lightweight aluminum frame is still sturdy enough to safely accommodate a car seat.

Retailing for $249, the Si has some fabulous features to take notice of. With its large canopy, adjustable handles, great seat recline, roomy seat, fantastic standing fold, and ability to accept an infant car seat, this is an umbrella-style stroller you should consider.

To watch our full video review of the Peg Perego Si, click the video below:

Shop Peg Perego Si Strollers

A new fabulous accessory that is now available for the UPPAbaby Vista will have parents of 2 children rejoicing!  So, now when baby #2 comes along, you don’t have to retire your VISTA stroller for a huge double stroller! Yeah!!!  The Rumbleseat is a new attachment which allows you to convert your VISTA stroller into a compact rear-facing tandem. This all-aluminum frame seat, complete with 5-point harness, will attach in seconds to all 2009 Uppa Baby Vista Strollers.

The Rumbleseat clips on and off the front of the frame easily with no tools required.  The seat does have to be removed when folding the stroller though. It sits low on the frame to allow a toddler to climb in on their own, yet high enough to keep your buckled in toddler from touching the wheels at all.  No need for wheel guards with this stroller!

The Rumbleseat rider faces mom (rides backwards) but sits in the front of the stroller so that it doesn’t take any legroom away from the parent pushing the stroller.  We were a little worried that the Rumbleseat cannot face forward but we found all our little testers didn’t mind riding backwards at all and liked sitting in the Rumbleseat.

And we love that the seat was designed in such a way that the stroller remains completely stable with the seat attached.  Yes, UPPAbaby recommends that you always put your child in the main seat first before putting your toddler in the Rumbleseat.  But many of us have those mischievous toddlers who want to climb in on their own when we turn our back without concern if there is another child in the main stroller seat.  What happens in this situation on other inline strollers such as one with the initials P&T?  The stroller flips over onto the climbing toddler!  Pretty dangerous, we think!  But not the case with the Rumbleseat and the VISTA!  Just as expected, our 32 lb tester full of mischief, raced to get in the Rumbleseat on his own as soon as we set it up.  We are happy to report the stroller didn’t budge!  Even though we don’t recommend this – he was able to get in the seat on his own without the stroller toppling over on top of him without a child in the main seat.  Plus, in those cases that you forget and take the child out of the main seat first, the stroller doesn’t flip over with your rider in the Rumbleseat.  Yeah, UPPAbaby!!!

The Rumbleseat comes in black to complement all the Vista color options and is complete with a padded, adjustable, 5-point harness for safety and a great SPF 50+ sun canopy to keep them shaded.  It comes with a footrest that sets in the bottom of the basket – so yes, your little rider’s legs will take up some your valuable basket real estate.  The basket is large enough that it doesn’t matter much though.

The Rumbleseat has a weight capacity of 35 lbs and since it doesn’t recline is recommended for a baby 6 months+.  Since the main toddler seat has a weight capacity of 50 lbs – the entire set-up with Rumbleseat gives the stroller an 85 lb capacity.

There are three seating configurations available with the Rumbleseat:  1) with toddler seat facing backwards (towards mom) with a child 6 months – 50 lbs  2)  with toddler seat facing forwards and in the fully reclined position with a newborn up to 6 months and the footrest in the highest position and 3) with an infant car seat attached.  The seat cannot be used with the bassinet because there isn’t enough room for the Rumbleseat rider!

One last great feature of the Rumbleseat is that paired with the UPPAbaby Piggyback wheeled board, your Vista Stroller can be turned into a triple stroller!

The Rumbleseat was intended for use with the UPPAbaby Vista 2009 Stroller.  Not to worry if you have an older model though because it can be used with earlier models if the frame is modified by certified UppaBaby personnel.  The Retro-Fit Frame Program has a few options:

Option 1: Purchase a new 2009 VISTA frame for $250

Option 2: Have your original 2006, 2007, or 2008 VISTA stroller frame adjusted by sending the frame to Uppa Baby for $85 including shipping

Option 3: Shipping your older frame to Uppa Baby using your own shipping methods and packaging for adjustment for $60

Option 4: Dropping it off and picking it up at their location in Rockland, MA.�

Overall, we LOVE the UPPAbaby Rumbleseat! It is a great option for parents who want to keep using their luxury VISTA stroller when baby #2 arrives instead of having to purchase a new, giant double stroller!  NOTE:  Our video review of the Rumbleseat with the new 2009 UPPAbaby VISTA stroller is coming soon!

SHOP UPPAbaby RumbleSeat

SHOP UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller