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The Mommy Files, Chicago, IL (2026)

08/07/2019

Nuna Leaf Grow: ⁣
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Pros: ⁣
- Sleek⁣
- Suitable from birth to 130lbs⁣
- Adjustable recline⁣
- No cords or batteries ⁣
- Can lock into non-swinging position⁣
- Can take off the 3 point harness ⁣
- Can use for years comfortably⁣
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Cons:⁣
- Expensive⁣
- Heavy⁣
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This is the one piece of baby gear that I have continuously used from the baby stage on. My girls are 4 and 2.5, and this is still a fixture in our living room. It has a gentle swing that put both my kids right to sleep when they were babies. My older daughter always wanted to sit in the “baby seat” and I never worried about her climbing in this seat because of the crazy high weight limit. A lot of baby swings have a weight limit of 22lbs, so this seat has much more longevity. The three point harness is extremely comfortable and easy to remove when your child can walk. The Nuna Leaf also has a sleek look, so I don’t feel it looks too out of place or childish in our living room. It’s expensive, but you get so much more use out of it than other swings. In my opinion it is worth the investment! ⁣
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⁣Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10
Nuna Leaf: $289.95
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@ Chicago, Illinois

08/05/2019

Skip Hop Diaperbag Backpack Riverside Ultra Light: ⁣
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Pros: ⁣
- Super lightweight⁣
- Cheap⁣
- Fits a lot⁣
- Large bottle pocket⁣
- Has stroller clips on the backpack straps ⁣
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Cons:⁣
- Little internal organization ⁣
- Looks like a kids bag ⁣
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This is a great bag for moms who like a backpack but don’t want the price tag of some other brands. It’s one of the lightest bags I’ve ever carried, so it’s super comfortable. Even when I inevitably overpack it, it’s still easy to carry. My mom loves this diaperbag, so whenever she takes the girls I pack this for her. She’s not one for frills or overpacking. She loves that I put the diapers and wipes in the inside front pockets and then she has easy access to the only important things, in her mind. I like a little more internal organization, so I don’t use this bag everyday. I also love to use this bag if I know I’m going to be carrying or wearing a toddler most of the time. If I am planning on having all that weight on the front, I like to have the lightest bag on my back. ⁣
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Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Skip Hop Riverside: $54.99⁣
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💕 👶 🤰 @ Chicago, Illinois

07/31/2019

Walmart Grocery Shopping (Pick Up): ⁣
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Pros: ⁣
- Free⁣
- Easy to navigate app⁣
- Wide variety of items⁣
- Numerous store options ⁣
- Numerous available time slots ⁣
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Cons:⁣
- None!⁣
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The Walmart Grocery Pickup option has been a life saver lately! I recently discovered the app and can’t get enough. The easy to use platform allows you to navigate the items you need easily. Once you choose all of your items, you simply pick a convenient time to pick up your groceries. My local Walmart has clearly labeled signs showing you where to go to pick up your items and the staff is always very prompt and friendly. This is a great option for moms on the go, new moms or those who want a cheaper option to grocery delivery services like Instacart or Shipt. ⁣
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Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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07/30/2019

Pottery Barn Backpacks: ⁣
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It’s that time of year again, Back to School! We love these Pottery Barn backpacks! They have adorable prints, and as you can see my girls love the princess print. It is hard to be sure which size to buy for our kids, so we tried to break down each of them below.⁣
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Mini: ⁣
Not great for school. It does not fit a spiral or folder. It is very light and fits well on a small child, but as an adult I am not really able to carry this comfortably. ⁣
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Small: ⁣
Fits a spiral and a folder. This one is perfect for preschool aged kids. My daughter used this size as her backpack for 3 year old preschool and it was perfect. She didn’t bring much to school, just a folder and a change of clothes. It can fit that and plenty more. She was able to carry it everyday with no complaints. I can also carry this backpack easily, although it looks a little small on my frame. ⁣
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Large: ⁣
This backpack is much larger than the small. I tried to have my 3 year old use this as her backpack last year and it was too overwhelming on her. I would recommend this for a much older child. I recently tried this on my daughter now that she is 4 and it is still way too big. It can fit a lot, but it is definitely meant for a quite older child. I can carry this comfortably as a 5’5” adult. ⁣
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Roll: ⁣
The Rolly backpack is extremely large. It is also quite heavy if you are carrying it on your back. When you are rolling it, it is very smooth and easy to roll. We have been using these as small suitcases for short trips. They can fit a lot and the girls love having their own “suitcase”. ⁣
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Mommy Rating:⁣
🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Mini: $39.50⁣
Small: $49.50⁣
Large: $59.50⁣
Roll: $79.50⁣
** You can get up to 30% off! ** ⁣
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07/29/2019

Pottery Barn Backpacks: ⁣
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It’s that time of year again, Back to School! We love these Pottery Barn backpacks! They have adorable prints, and as you can see my girls love the princess print. It is hard to be sure which size to buy for our kids, so we tried to break down each of them below.⁣
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Mini: ⁣
Not great for school. It does not fit a spiral or folder. It is very light and fits well on a small child, but as an adult I am not really able to carry this comfortably. ⁣
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Small: ⁣
Fits a spiral and a folder. This one is perfect for preschool aged kids. My daughter used this size as her backpack for 3 year old preschool and it was perfect. She didn’t bring much to school, just a folder and a change of clothes. It can fit that and plenty more. She was able to carry it everyday with no complaints. I can also carry this backpack easily, although it looks a little small on my frame. ⁣
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Large: ⁣
This backpack is much larger than the small. I tried to have my 3 year old use this as her backpack last year and it was too overwhelming on her. I would recommend this for a much older child. I recently tried this on my daughter now that she is 4 and it is still way too big. It can fit a lot, but it is definitely meant for a quite older child. I can carry this comfortably as a 5’5” adult. ⁣
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Roll: ⁣
The Rolly backpack is extremely large. It is also quite heavy if you are carrying it on your back. When you are rolling it, it is very smooth and easy to roll. We have been using these as small suitcases for short trips. They can fit a lot and the girls love having their own “suitcase”. ⁣
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Mommy Rating:⁣
🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Mini: $39.50⁣
Small: $49.50⁣
Large: $59.50⁣
Roll: $79.50⁣
** You can get up to 30% off! ** ⁣
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07/25/2019

ZoLi Chubby Gummy Gum Massager⁣
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PROS: ⁣⁣
- The BEST teether for molars⁣⁣
- Small (easily thrown in a diaper bag or even your pocket)⁣⁣
- Can attach to a pacifier clip⁣⁣
- Shield at the handle (so kids can’t shove it too far into their mouths)⁣⁣
- Easy to clean⁣⁣
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CONS:⁣⁣
- Only for older children (they have to be able to hold it)⁣⁣
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This is one of the only teethers that allows a child to safely get all the way back to their molars for relief. My kids tried to stick everything in their mouths to calm their little gums and it was so nerve wracking! I added a pacifier clip so it wouldn't constantly fall on the floor, and they were ready to go!⁣⁣
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Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣⁣
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Link to buy in Bio⁣⁣
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07/24/2019

Babybay Bedside Sleeper ⁣
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Pros:⁣
- Attaches to bedside⁣
- Longevity: converts to crib when baby outgrows bedside sleeper (90 b weight limit when converted to crib) ⁣
- Allows you to feel like your baby is in bed with you while still in their own safe sleeping environment⁣
- Ideal for middle of the night nursing sessions ⁣
- Comes in a variety of colors and finishes ⁣
- All natural and eco friendly materials ⁣
- Sell individual replacement parts making it affordable should you lose a piece in storage ⁣
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Cons:⁣
- Have to exit at the bottom of your bed or on opposite side ⁣
- Pricey⁣
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I absolutely loved using our babybay bedside sleeper with our first baby and can’t wait to use it with our second. As a first time mom, I was paranoid of something happening in the middle of the night and wanted the closeness of cosleeping, without taking up space in our small bed. Having him so close allowed middle of the night nursing sessions and c-section recovery to be as easy as possible. I could simply reach over, and since he was level to the bed and there was no high barrier to reach over, easily lift him up and put him back with little disruption. If you plan on having numerous children, I think it’s a great investment and the quality holds up very well. However, if you are on your last baby, it might not be worth the price tag. ⁣
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Mommy Rating:⁣
🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Babybay bedside sleeper: $365.00⁣
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Link in Bio ⁣
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07/23/2019

⁣One Kid Road Coat ⁣
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Pros:⁣⁣
- Car seat safe⁣⁣
- CPST Approved⁣⁣
- Very warm (temperature rating to -25℉)⁣⁣
- Smooth zipper⁣⁣ - No-Slip inner layer⁣⁣
- Easy to strap kids into car seat⁣⁣
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Cons:⁣⁣
- Kids can get warm on long trips⁣⁣
- Small range of colors⁣⁣
- Expensive⁣⁣
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Living in Chicago a winter coat is a necessity. We love that these are car seat safe, so you don’t have to take the coats on and off everytime you get in and out of the car. The no-slip inner layer allows the harness to lay flat on your child’s body and stay in place in case of an accident. The down outer portion of the coat keeps your child warm when they’re out of the car. ⁣⁣
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Link to buy: ⁣
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https://www.amazon.com/One-Kid-Safety-CoatDown-Jacket/dp/B01NABC723/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546891731&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=one+kid+road+coat&dpPl=1&dpID=41fKOQlM7TL&ref=plSrch⁣
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⁣One Kid Road Coat $109.99
⁣Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10
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07/22/2019

Itzy Ritzy Reusable Snack Bag:⁣
Pros:⁣
- Reusable ⁣
- Machine washable⁣
- Cute prints ⁣
- Easy for kids to open and close themselves ⁣
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Cons:⁣
- Can’t see inside to see how much is left⁣
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This is a great alternative to plastic baggies. I used to constantly have plastic bags full of snacks and felt badly about using so many. These Itzy Ritzy snack bags were the perfect solution. They’re about the same size as a sandwich bag, so it fits s good amount of snacks. They’re super easy to rinse out, and you can throw them in the washing machine. They have a zipper as the opening on top. My kids seam to have an easier time opening the zipper on their own compared to opening a ziplock bag. The bags also have a waterproof lining, so nothing leaks! I’ve used this bag as a makeup bag for mommy only trips and loved it. My foundation leaked one time and it kept it contained to the snack bag thankfully. I threw the Itzy Ritzy snack bag in the wash when I got home and it was good as new. ⁣
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Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Itzy Ritzy Reusable snack bag: $9.99⁣
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Link in Bio ⁣
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07/21/2019

DOCK A TOT ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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PROS:⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Longevity – useful for baby from birth – 8 Months⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Amazing for Travel – consistent sleep environment no matter where you go ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Provides safe spot for baby to hang out during day and sleep at night ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Prewashed fabric prior to opening (every mom knows how annoying it is to wash everything before use) ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Safe option for co-sleeping (whether you chose to co-sleep or on off nights when you have a sick baby) ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Cute print options⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Hugs baby and makes them feel cozy (especially good for babies that feel the need to be cuddled at night)⁣⁣⁣
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CONS: ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Pricey (though we think you get your money’s worth)⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Stains easily⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Cover difficult to put on after washing ⁣⁣⁣⁣
-Must air dry ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣
Overall MUST HAVE for new moms. Despite being pricey, you definitely get your money's worth. My oldest daughter was a terrible sleeper from day one. I struggled for months until I tried the Dock a Tot, and for me it was a lifesaver! She loved the feeling of being “cuddled” and it made her feel like she was snuggling with me all night. When I had my second daughter I used the Dock a Tot as soon as we came home from the hospital and she was an amazing sleeper. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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I also switched my older daughter to the bigger size (Grand) when she outgrew the Deluxe (around 9 months). I used it to transition her to her “big girl bed” and she transitioned seamlessly. They both were worth every penny! ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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*Pro Tip: Make sure you have 2 covers! ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Dock a Tot Deluxe+: $175.00 Grand: $275.00 ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Mommy Rating:⁣ 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣⁣⁣
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Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XGYJ9NL/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1546809332&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=doc+a+tot+grand&psc=1⁣⁣
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07/19/2019

Hello Bello Diapers:⁣
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Pros:⁣
- Affordable⁣
- Accessible⁣
- Absorbent⁣
- Does not pill or break down when soiled ⁣
- Cute prints⁣
- Natural materials⁣
- Wetness indicator for size N-2⁣
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Cons:⁣
- Not great for overnight ⁣
- No swim/overnight version available⁣
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Like everything else we’ve tried so far from Hello Bello, these diapers are a hit! If you are a fan of the honest company quality and a Pampers fit, you’ll love this option. The diapers are very absorbent for daytime use and do not get soggy and pill when full. It puts my mind at ease knowing my baby has good natural materials on his bum, especially due to the fact that he has sensitive skin. ⁣
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*Note: Diapers have been tested on a 12+ month old baby. Have not been tested for newborn blow outs. Will update in September :) ⁣
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Mommy Rating: 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼/10⁣
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Price: 23.94 for 74 Count Size 4 ⁣
*price may vary depending on size. ⁣
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Link in Bio ⁣
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@ Chicago, Illinois

07/18/2019

BOSS BACKPACK:⁣
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PROS:⁣
- Easy transition from newborn to toddler⁣
- Excellent, organized storage (fits laptop comfortably)⁣
- External pockets for phone, keys, water bottle⁣
- Unzips completely ⁣
- Adjustable straps and stroller clips⁣
- Soft, plush changing pad ⁣
- Sturdy rubber bottom keeping the bag’s shape and keeping you germ free⁣
- Stylish. A color and a style for every mom that screams “I had a baby, but still have style”⁣
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CONS:⁣
- Slightly heavy⁣
- Not the most budget friendly ⁣($149.99-159.99)
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MOMMY RATING 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼⁣ 🍼🍼🍼🍼/10 Link to purchase in bio
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The Mommy Files

08/07/2019

08/05/2019

07/31/2019

07/30/2019

07/29/2019

07/25/2019

07/24/2019

07/23/2019

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07/18/2019

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