Must have baby gear for outdoor family adventures

“Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it’s what you want before you commit.”

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote this quote in her book Eat Pray Love. Her sister told her this one day as Elizabeth pondered the idea of having her own children. For obvious reasons, this quote has stuck with me ever since I read it.

When I had my own son, I knew I would have to make a lot of compromises with my time, but I wasn’t sure how to juggle it all. I wanted to be wonder-mom and do everything, but as many moms out there know, somehow the days blend together as you struggle to feed and dress yourself between feeding and changing the baby. However, those wonderfully exhausting days slowly give way to a routine, and suddenly, you begin to feel more and more like yourself.

At 8 months old my son is sturdier, and I am able to tote him around with me more often. It is perfect timing because summer in Michigan is fast approaching, and I live to be outdoors. It is important to me that I pass this on to my son, and I am eager to begin to incorporate him into all of my outdoor hobbies. In order to include him, I appreciate reliable products that I can use to help me care for my son while also making activities more convenient. 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

JJ Cole makes products that make my life as a new mom easier, but most importantly, their products have allowed me to be more active. Their mission at JJ Cole is to provide parents with products that epitomize utility and convenience, while embracing fashion and style. JJ Cole strives to address the needs and wants of today’s busy, on-the-go parent.  I don’t have to feel chained to the house just because I have an infant, and I don’t have to worry about lugging around heavy “equipment” just to go to the park. As a mom, it feels good to know there are companies that understand my needs as a mother, and allow me to begin to return to my old self.

One of my favorite items is the Agility Carrier. I am an avid hiker, but a stroller is out of the question on the trails. During the summers, my husband and I hike with our dog almost every weekend. This year, we want to include our son in the ritual, and the agility carrier has made this possible. Once again we can be a family unit and enjoy activities outside the home.

The carrier works for newborns as well as infants up to 38 pounds. With multiple ways to wrap the baby, it is easily adjustable to fit your infant without having to adjust belts and buckles. I have used other carriers but have found that they are uncomfortable for the baby and tough on my back. The JJ Cole carrier is made of soft, breathable fabric with a supportive racer back design that helps evenly distribute the weight of the baby. With the stretchable fabric, my son is comfortable but secure enough that I can be hands free without worrying about him bouncing around.

The JJ Cole Diaper bag is just what I need to carry around all the necessities for my baby. It has plenty of pockets for storage, it comes with its own changing mat, and it even has hooks to attach the bag to my stroller. The durable fabric wipes clean and the beautiful design means I don’t have to compromise functionality for style, I can have both. 

JJ Cole also makes an outdoor mat that folds up like a bag, complete with a shoulder strap. The water resistant material makes it easily cleaned. It is perfect to take to the beach, an afternoon picnic, or for any kind of outdoor fun. The mat is even machine washable, and it comes in the same Blue Iris pattern to match my diaper bag.

Our family can get back to having fun this summer. JJ Cole has products that make motherhood easier and allow me to spend more time with my family.

View the JJ Cole Collections at the official JJ Cole Website or you can also visit buybuyBABY online to find the Blue Iris Backpack & Blue Iris Outdoor Blanket and for the Agility Carrier, try Babies R Us, buybuyBABY, Target and Amazon.