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}

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.

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!}

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The new Synergy carrier builds upon the great features of the original carrier, but adds an exclusive breathable mesh fabric that fights heat and moisture (and dries quickly after a being thrown in the washing machine) and the necessary lumbar support to let you carry your baby for longer periods of time.

And you can tuck the whole carrier into the attached storage pocket. How’s that for convenience?

Special offer: One lucky Cradle readers will win a Baby Björn Synergy baby carrier. To enter, visit The Cradle’s Product Guide: Baby Carriers, and tell us when you shouldn’t use a baby carrier. Email the answer to blog@thecradle.com with the subject line: Baby Björn Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 8/26/09 – 8/30/09. Drawing date: Monday, 8/31/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 8/31/09. See official rules.

*Giveaway winner will be able to choose the color (white, black, or marine blue) of the baby carrier. 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.

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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.

We’re giving away five Noodle & Boo Special Delivery Gift Sets.

Noodle & Boo is most definitely ‘crushworthy’. This company really knows how to make safe, sweet products for both mom and baby – and the packaging is lovely!

This gift set consists of an extra gentle shampoo, soothing body wash, ultimate cleansing cloths and a luxurious baby washcloth.

And everything is mild and gentle on sensitive skin, so it’s ideal for newborns and babies.

Plus it arrives in their signature pink/blue packaging – a perfect shower or new baby gift. Who can resist that?!

Special offer: Five lucky Cradle readers will win a Noodle & Boo Special Delivery Gift Set (Retail value: $35). To enter, visit The Cradle’s How to: Bathe Your Newborn article and tell us how many times a week is sufficient for bathing a newborn. Email the answer to thecradlecrush@thecradle.com with the subject line: Noodle & Boo Entry. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. This promotion will run from 7/29/09 – 8/2/09. Drawing date: Monday, 8/3/09. One winner will be notified on Monday, 8/3/09. See official rules.

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