First of all, be gentle on yourself… it took a while to put on, and it will take a while to come off.

But now you can shape up while strolling with your baby around the neighborhood with some sneakers that give your exercise an extra boost!

Skechers Shape Ups are here to help – and holy cow – are we crushing on these shoes!

They’re comfortable, easy to walk in, and they look nice, too.

But best of all they offer all kinds of benefits for the body, including…

• Reduces cellulite. (Yes, please!)
• Firms buttocks.
• Tones and firms thigh muscles.
• Improves posture. (Great for new moms who tend to hunch over from holding and feeding baby.)
• Strengthens and firms back muscles.
• Improves blood circulation.

Basically, it does all the things that every new mom wants after carrying around all that extra weight for nine months.

Seriously, run to your nearest store and get a pair of these shoes (or at least check them out online)… and then start walking!

Special offer: One lucky Cradle reader will win a pair of Skechers sneakers – Stability in Silver Blue (Retail value: $110).  To enter, visit The Cradle’s 30-Minute Total Body Workout by Lisa Druxman from Stroller Strides and tell us the name of one of her suggested exercise moves.  Email the answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Skechers Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 11/11/09 – 11/15/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 11/16/09. See official rules.

How can you enter?

Two ways: If you live in Los Angeles and are planning on attending the plan A BABY event this Saturday, you can sign up and start your baby registry with Bel Bambini right there on the spot and be entered.

Or, you can just simply register in store or online.

Also, if you are planning on attending the plan A BABY event, Bel Bambini has partnered with high-end nursery furniture designer Oeuf to showcase celebrity must-have baby registry and nursery items – and will raffle off many of these items during the event.

We’re talking Aden & Anais blankets, Cloud B Sleep Products, Safe Sippy, and handmade knits from Oeuf’s Clothier Collection. That’s some nice loot!

*Bel Bambini is a celebrity-favorite upscale baby and children’s boutique for new and expectant moms such as Sarah Michelle Gelllar, Katherine Heigl, Christina Aguilera, Tori Spelling, Halle Berry and more.

Care.com is running the Year of Care Giveaway where they giving away $12,445 (the cost of a year of child care for the average American family.)

To win, all you need to do is visit their site from now until October 9^th and sign up for a free Basic Membership or subscribe for a full Premium Membership. (If you’re already a member, simply register through their homepage.)

{Enter to Win}

MOODY MAMAS and fashion guru Christian Siriano are out to prove that pregnancy can be fun, sexy… and of course, fierce! Now one Cradle mom-to-be can win 5 complete Fall Wardrobe Looks from their latest collection including:

• Ponti Turtleneck Dress with Leather Pockets
• Captivating Cap Sleeve Dress
• Jersey Box Pleat Top
• Jersey V-Neck Dress
• Luscious Long Dress

Hip… sophisticated…stylish – these designs can seamlessly transition from the office to going out on the town.

Celebrity fans include Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, and Tori Spelling.

Special offer: One lucky Cradle reader will win a FIERCE MAMAS for MOODY MAMAS by Christian Siriano 5 piece fall wardrobe (Retail value: $450). To enter, visit The Cradle’s Maternity Checklist and tell us one piece of clothing that you can’t/won’t/couldn’t live without during your pregnancy. (And if we’re missing something from the list, let us know your top pick!)

Email your answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Moody Mamas Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 9/30/09 – 10/4/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 10/05/09. See official rules.

CONTEST IS CLOSED

Introducing our latest crush: Cutie Pa Tutus custom made tutus (filled with colorful pompoms) and personalized super hero capes.

Seriously, one of the best parts of childhood is imagination and play, right? These whimsical little creations will put fun time into overdrive. Trust us; your little one will be the hit of the playground or neighborhood.

Plus, celebs are crushing on it too. Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling, and Denise Richards are all fans!

Special offer: Cutie Pa Tutus is giving away a custom made tutu or personalized super hero cape to two lucky Cradle winners (winners do not get to choose between the tutu or cape – prizes are chosen at random).

To enter, visit The Cradle’s Hottest Fall Maternity Trends and name one of the top back-to-school trends. . Email the answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Cutie Pa Tutus Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 9/23/09 – 9/27/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 9/28/09. See official rules.

Not the winner? Visit The Cradle’s Deals & Discounts to receive 15% off all regularly priced items at Cutie Pa Tutus.

We’re discovering some of the best and most creative homemade baby food recipes.

That’s right – even though you may not have your own cooking show on the Food Network, we know that feeding your baby delicious and nutritious food is a priority.

We want you to dazzle us with your culinary creativity by sharing your favorite baby food recipe… or create a brand new one for us!

So, what’s in it for you? The chance to win a Beaba Babycook.

Trust us – even if you’re sleep deprived, juggling one or more babies, and can barely make something for yourself to eat, this food maker makes mealtimes uber-easy and convenient. Baby food is steamed, cooked, blended, defrosted or warmed in a flash! (We’re talking less than 15 minutes.) Plus, it looks great on your kitchen counter. Can’t beat that.

So, open up your recipe box and start sharing…

{Enter to Win}

This promotion will run from 9/16/09 – 9/20/09. Drawing date: Monday, 9/21/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 9/21/09. See official rules.

(Not yet a culinary baby food-making whiz, but want to be? Visit The Cradle’s How to Make Homemade Baby Food.)

GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED

And now you have the chance to win one from our partner Handmedowns.com, the ‘ultimate money saving marketplace for moms’. (Hey, everyone is looking for a bargain these days or a way to save some cash, right?)

For the next three weeks, anyone who registers through The Cradle is entered to win a brand-new Orbit Baby Infant System. Plus, each time you post an item through Handmedowns.com on The Cradle (thecradle.com/buysell), you earn another entry for another chance to win this fabulous stroller system.

It’s a win-win situation!

{Enter now!}

GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED

That’s why we’re crushing on Mabel’s Labels. These personalized labels are adorable, easy to stick on, and have some serious staying power!

Their Back-to-School Combo include 50 Tag-Mates™(perfect for sticking on clothing tags), 40 Skinny-Minis™, 16 Shoe Labels (worn on the inside sole), and 2 Teeny Tags (to attach to bags). Colors include True Blue, Tickled Pink, Cotton Candy and Nature Lover.

Start labeling and reduce the losing!

Special offer: One lucky Cradle readers will win a Mabel’s Labels Ultimate Back to School Pack. To enter, visit The Cradle’s 2009’s 15 Hottest Baby Name Trends and tell use one of the trends from this year. Email the answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Mabel’s Labels Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 8/19/09 – 8/23/09. Drawing date: Monday, 8/24/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 8/24/09. See official rules.

*Giveaway winner will be able to choose the color and information they would like on the labels. GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED

Here’s why we’re crushing on it:

• It’s easy to put on – belt it, snap it and you’re good to go.

• Baby can be worn facing you or facing out.

• It feels ergonomically comfortable – it rides on the hips so there’s no back or shoulder strain.

• It comes in all kinds of lovely colors, prints and eco-friendly fabric.

• And, it’s lightweight and streamlined – great for traveling!

Plus, celebs are crushing on it too. Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, and Nicole Kidman are all fans!

Special offer: One lucky Cradle readers will win an Orange Blossom Baby Carrier (Retail value: $99.95). To enter, visit The Cradle’s Baby Carriers – A Comparison article, and name one of benefits of using a baby carrier. Email the answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Belle Baby Carrier Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 8/12/09 – 8/16/09. Drawing date: Monday, 8/17/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 8/17/09. See official rules.

GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED

Not the winner? Visit The Cradle’s Deals & Discounts to receive 20% off any web order with Belle Baby Carrier.

thisMoment is a place where you can capture and save special moments and adventures from your life (through videos, pictures, etc.) and share with family and friends via email, blogs, or other social-networking sites.

To enter their Summer Moments contest, all you need to do is:

• Sign up

• Create your summer-themed moment with their Moment Maker™

• Enter your chance to win by sending in your ‘moment’ (you can do this directly from the ‘moment’ you create)

They are looking for best overall summer moment, funniest kid summer moment and most liked summer moment.

Prizes include a Flip Mino HD video camera a Svan Scooter and a $150 Visa Gift Card.

Deadline to submit is this Friday, August 21st at 11:59 p.m. (pacific time).

Enter to win – visit Summer Moments.