OY! KRISTEN

Many thanks to my friends at Ergobaby for sending me this product to review. All opinions are my own. Scroll below for details on how to win your own Ergobaby Omni 360!

Having two boys within 2.5 years has been a lot - a lot of wonder, a lot of laughs, a lot of multitasking, and yes - I'll admit it - there have been a lot of tears, too. Two boys. Two big baby boys. Two exceptional, golden-haired, strong-armed precious people who have transformed my life and gifted me with the most incredible vocation of motherhood. These mighty little men are my two greatest treasures and are constantly teaching me lessons by introducing me to the best and worst versions of myself. Parenting them has been a series of transformative life lessons in sacrifice, selflessness, gratitude and unconditional love.

Some of my most favorite mama moments have been the candid ones, the in-between interactions caught out of the corner of my eye, watching them get to know one another. My 3-year old Everett leaning over and kissing his 9 month-old baby brother Daxton after nightly prayers, Daxton bursting into giggles when Everett zooms around the room on his bike, catching the two of them quietly holding hands and sucking thumbs in their car seats. These moments are my prize, the tender reward that keeps me going in the fray of the less glamorous moments of parenthood - the arguing, the disciplining, the bottom-wiping. You mamas feel me on this?

One of the biggest learning curves of transitioning from one child to two has been keeping up with both of them at one time! Taking care of a baby while chasing around an active toddler has been a challenge that nothing could have quite prepared me for! While I love my two other models of the Ergobaby carrier, the Ergobaby Omni 360 is the model to trump them all. It has given me the ability to multitask - I love wearing Daxton while I cook double meals, clean up a mess load of toys and simultaneously play with both of them. And let's be honest, it's nice to have my hands free so I can sip my iced coffee and, you know, scroll around on Instagram. #keepingitreal

If you aren't familiar with Ergobaby, it was founded in 2003 with a mission to provide ergonomically smart solutions to adventurous parents and their babies. Along with a line of baby swaddlers, diaper bags, and nursing pillows, they are most popular for offering the best baby carrier on the market.

My Favorite Improvements about the Omni 360 compared to my 2 other Ergobaby carriers:
- The Omni 360 grows with you from week 1 to 36 months - there is no longer a need for any infant insert or multiple carriers for different stages. This is the only carrier you will need for all your babies. Value!!

- The extra-cushioned crossable shoulder straps, improved lumbar support and adjustable under-arm straps provide a more customized and secure fit for you and baby. I'm carrying a super big boy around and this carrier makes it feel ridiculously easy and comfortable! Which is really saying a lot. My kid is in the 100th percentile in all his stats - he's BIG you guys.

- The Omni 360 carrier includes a detachable zip pouch to carry a phone, keys, a small wallet and whatever else you need. The previous Ergo models featured a zip compartment on the outside of the carrier, running across the baby's back - this is an improved design because now you can put keys or other strange-shaped items inside the pouch without potentially poking your baby. The pouch attaches just below baby's bum and can be removed if you want to throw it inside of a purse, etc.

- The Omni 360 has the amazing ability to carry baby many different ways - forward and inward facing, along with a hip carry and backpack carry. My previous Ergos couldn't accommodate so many different carrying positions - now Daxton can face outward at the zoo and enjoy all the sights or face inward while I'm grocery shopping and take a snooze. I also really love that my husband Stevie can wear him easily in this carrier, too - we just quickly adjust the straps so that it fits him and we can transition the baby back and forth between the two of us.

This carrier has made my life remarkably easier since it came in the mail. I find myself using it daily as I oscillate from boring mom tasks - vacuuming and dish washing - to fun mom tasks - playing race cars and having dance parties. The Omni 360 carrier has empowered me to be the kind of mom I want to be to my two boys - productive, present and playful.

Interested in winning an Ergobaby Omni 360? Hop over to my instagram to enter for a chance to win your own!

*UPDATE* - For a limited time, Ergobaby is offering 10% off all carriers! Get yours!

P.S. - If you want to learn more about why I love Ergobaby, check out my ultimate guide to baby essentials and 8 tips for traveling abroad with your baby.

Baby Registry Picks: Out & About by oykristen // 1. Baby Bjorn Carrier // 2. Uppababy Vista Convertible Stroller // 3. Chicco Keyfit 30 Carseat // 4. Booginhead Pacifier Clip // 5. Gumdrop Pacifier // 6. Baby K'Tan Wrap Carrier // 7. Baya Diaper Clutch // 8. Bob Revolution SE Jogging Stroller // 9. Ergobaby Carrier //

Baby Registry Picks: Out & About

This is the second installment in my Baby Registry Picks series (see my feeding picks), and I am so excited to share these products with you! We are an active family, and this roundup of gear has made our adventures so manageable and fun. Many of these were recommended to me by friends and family, and it has been a really joyous process seeing what works well for our own little family. I own every single item on this list and stand by them! Also, I am hosting an awesome giveaway to win this diaper clutch (see #7 below!), so make sure to scroll to the bottom to see more pics and to enter the giveaway!

1. Baby Bjorn Carrier

This is a great carrier for the 3-5 month stage, especially when going out and about. And it's great for husbands to wear, too! I could get away with wearing the sling (see #6 below) for a long time, but Stevie could never fit my sling around him. This structured carrier was the perfect "in-between" from the sling to the Ergo Carrier.

2. Uppababy Vista Convertible Stroller

I can't say enough great things about this stroller. It's perfect. It's honestly the perfect option for city life, because it sort of becomes your car. It wheels so smoothly, it practically drives itself. It travels flawlessly, comes with a bassinet (which we sincerely loved having for those first 3-4 months) along with the toddler seat, has an enormous amount of storage space, folds up easily, has a reversible seat... I could go on and on. One of the big selling points is that it has the ability to "add on" and can carry up to three children at a time. For a full-sized stroller, this one is the jam.

3. Chicco Keyfit 30 Carseat

I kind of hate carseats in general (so big! so heavy!), but this one is tolerable. It's compatible with a ton of different strollers (including the two we own), and most importantly, is super duper safe. And if you're into looks, this one comes in a zillion color options.

4. Booginhead Pacifier Clip

I can't tell you what a HUGE difference this tiny little device has made. Once we finally got Everett to start taking a pacifier, it was a game changer. The sucking motion really calmed him down. Using this clip to connect his pacifier to his clothes was a lifesaver, because we never lost pacifiers and they didn't get dirty from constantly falling on the ground. If you're okay with giving your child a paci, go ahead and throw a few of these clips on your registry. You will be so relieved to have a few on hand!

5. Gumdrop Pacifier

There are so many different pacifiers on the market, and each child gravitates towards different kinds. However, this is the one that worked for Everett, so we have stuck with it. He is completely at ease with this type of pacifier, and while we don't really use them at home, I always make sure to have one when we're out and about. Especially when we're traveling!

6. Baby K'Tan Wrap Carrier

This was the first carrier that I put Everett in, when he was just a wee little one. I only used this for a few months because he grew at such a rapid pace, but I really loved wearing him so close to me. This wrap is unstructured, so the baby is able to snuggle extra close to you. For those beginning months when my son was so colicky, this was the only way I could get him to nap. I think it made him feel like he was still in my tummy. I really loved this wrap and was super sad when he outgrew it.

7. Baya Diaper Clutch

I have used a few different diaper changing stations, but when Baya sent me this one I was floored by how quickly it became my favorite. It's super small and portable (big bonus points for that) and has an interchangeable wristlet/purse strap that allows you to carry it a few different ways. On those errand days when I'm running around town and don't need to take my enormous diaper bag everywhere with me, this diaper clutch is the perfect option. It's obviously cute (no dorky mom product here!) but it's also super functional. There are two compartments that I can easily tuck a few diapers and packs of travel wipes into, along with a separate zippable pocket that I toss my phone and keys into, and voila, we are ready for an hour or two out and about! I have really loved having this for quick diaper changes in the car (especially on my recent road trip) and in public places. See below for more pics of this handy little tool "in action" and for a giveaway to win one for yourself!

8. Bob Revolution SE Jogging Stroller

I stand by this stroller as the single reason why I am able to get some exercise as a new mama. It's nearly impossible to carve out a ton of time for yourself as a new mom. However, exercise is a huge priority to me, as I'm sure it is for a lot of you. Being able to take my baby along with me as I spend time outdoors and try to get back in shape, well, that's honestly been a lifesaver for me. Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, too. And Everett LOVES being outside, so putting him in his Bob stroller has become our daily ritual. A little secret: the 4:00 pm hour has become nicknamed "the witching hour" in our household, because it's the time of day where exhaustion hits (for me) and whining hits (for him.) That's usually the time we take to the Bob and get outdoors. So you if you ever want to know what we're doing from about 4-5:30pm on any given day, we are probably out, Bob-bing around. Pun intended :)

9. Ergobaby Carrier

This is the carrier of all carriers. The Ergo is structured perfectly for both the mom and the dad to wear the baby, so we often switch off! My experience with a lot of other carriers is that they seem to favor the body type of one gender more than the other. This carrier is super soft but still structured, has all the bells and whistles (head cover, extra safety clips, etc.) and just seems to work so naturally for our family. It goes with us everywhere!

And now for a giveaway!

Giveaway with Baya Collections!

I am really excited to partner with Baya Collections to give away this Diaper Clutch in any of the three colors in stock. Like I mentioned above, this has become my go-to diaper clutch when I don't want to lug around an entire diaper bag. This is great to toss into the bottom of the stroller, to unfold in the airplane, or even lay on the ground in the park to perform a quick diaper change. It's one of those items you don't realize you need until you're in that panic moment of "I have to change my baby's diaper NOW and I'm in the middle of Target and there's no changing table and I can't bear the thought of laying my baby's head on the dirty ground!" Baya Clutch to the rescue.

Enter Now!

You can enter this giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. You just have to sign up on the Baya site and you may additionally enter the giveaway by following Baya Collections on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. And score! Baya is offering my readers a 15% discount on all products from now until March 21st using the code OYKRISTEN. Make sure to browse the site and utilize this great discount while you can! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway