With the holidays so close, it can be challenging to shop for a mother-to-be, especially if you want to buy something specifically for her and not the baby.  I’ve had several pregnant running and fitness enthusiast mother’s-to-be ask me what would be some great presents to ask for during this holiday season. I created a 50 Holiday Gifts List for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts based on my own personal experience. I have a lot of these items on this list that I have acquired pre and post pregnancies. If you are going to be a running mama, I highly recommend the books from Another Mother Runner, Run Like a Mother and Train Like a Mother.   They are quick, enjoyable, easy reads. Of course, if someone wants to splurge on a mom-to-be, the BOB Revolution SE jog stroller is an awesome gift. It is one of the best strollers I have owned and I currently own altogether four strollers. The 50 Holiday Gifts for for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts gifts range from under $25 – under $600.  You can also find more gift ideas under Run Stroller Run’s Gift Ideas for Mama’s to Be on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts.     For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

‘Tis the season. Now that Turkey Trots are over and we say hello to Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, Reindeer Runs and more. We rounded up some of the best jingle bell runs and Santa-themed family and stroller friendly races.  Which ones do you prefer? Check back on a regular basis to see what Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, and Reindeer Runs were added. Friday, December 6, 2013 Florida 5K Santa Fun Run/Walk – Clermont, FL Harmony Christma5K – Harmony, FL Texas Rudy Run 5K – Caldwell, TX Saturday, December 7, 2013   Arizona AZ Santa Run – Scottsdale, AZ Run From the Cops 5K – Tempe, AZ California 2013 Tiger Run 5K/10K, Cycle Tour 5K, Tiger Cub Run, Health & Wellness Fair – South Pasadena, CA Eagal Lakes Walk/Run to a Brighter Christmas and Kids Jingle Jam – Tracy, CA Merced Jingle Bell Run for Toys for Tots – Fresno, CA Midway Run & Walk – Alameda, CA Reindeer Run 5K Run/Walk – San Luis Obispo, CA Reindeer Run/Walk – American Canyon, CA The Sweater Dash – Northern California – Pleasanton, CA Florida 2nd Annual Santa Claus for a Cause – Fort Myers, FL Blizzard on the Beach 5K – Pensacola, FL Color Blast 5K Run – Lakeland, FL Festival of Lights 5K – Jacksonville, FL Rudolph’s Reindeer Dash 5k  Stuart, FL Santa Shuffle 5K Run – Tavares, FL Georgia DECA the Halls – Gainesville, GA Frosty 5K – Dahlonega, GA Jingle Bell Run 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk – Jesup, GA Jingle Bell Run – Newnan, GA Jingle Dash – Conyers, GA Jingle Jog – Acworth, GA Reindeer Run – La Fayette, GA Run Run Rudolph 5K – Commerce, GA Santa Shuffle – Moultrie, GA Winterfest 5K – Valdosta, GA Illinois 5K...

Buying for an Au Pair, nanny, and/or child care provider can sometimes be difficult and for most parents more stressful than buying for their significant others. Your child’s care giver is watching your most precious asset(s) everyday and you want to ensure they feel appreciated.  The questions that go through my mind when shopping for my Au Pair are: How much do I spend? How much is too much? Do I buy multiple presents or just one? Is cash OK? Do I give gift cards? I have an Au Pair that lives in our house and is our adopted daughter, so I budget for her gifts like I do my other two children. She will be spending the holidays with us and waking up on Christmas morning with just as much anticipation and excitement as my three year old. Most Au Pairs have never experienced Christmas and/or other seasonal holidays American style, so in my experience all of our Au Pair’s are just as or more excited than my children. Because it can be challenging to come up with some ideas, here is a list with 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs with gifts ranging from under $25 – under $200.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Au Pairs on Pinterest. Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From Kids Here are eight gift ideas out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs.  ...

It is that time of year: Holiday time!  Are you starting to think about what to buy your running friend, spouse, daughter, etc? Below, I have put together my 2013 Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners I love Etsy.  Especially for unique, fun gifts that I wish I was capable of making for others, but do not have the time or the talent to do so.  The list is not in order by preference,  but by lowest price to the highest price gifts. Happy Shopping and enjoy my Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners. Run Etched Wine Glass  by  WulfCreekDesigns  Price $14.99 The Girlfriends Marathon Picture by  yankeegirlart Price $18.99 Running Wall Quote – Fred Lebow Quote – In Running Wall Decal by WallapaloozaDecals  Price $22.63 Customized Marathon Key Chain by  PearlieGirl Price $27.00 Running tee: are my kids still chasing me? By AnotherMotherRunner – they finally opened an Etsy store this October. Price $30 Eat Clean, Train Dirty Pyrex Baking Dish by GoneGirly  Price $30.00+ Marathon half marathon Medal Display – 24in.,30in.,48in. Black or White  by Victorymedaldisplays Price $34.99 + It runs in the family, bib and medal holder.  YorkSignShop Price $45.00 Run Wild My Child by spunkyfluff   Price $57.50 Custom Made t shirt quilt Running and Triathlon Shirts by HappyQuiltDesigns  – Price ranges $230-$380 **The pictures below are in the numeric order above.   For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner  ...

I am wondering if I am the only one; as I have gotten older Valentine’s Day has become increasing less important to me. When I was a teenager and in college, I had expectations like most girls that it would be great to receive something from my boyfriend like red roses and be taken out for a “romantic” dinner. Unfortunately for most guys and sometimes girls, Valentine’s Day is an unfortunate holiday.  Of course, the stores and commercial enterprises don’t do anything to help the situation.  We are barraged with Valentines decorations, red hearts, and Valentine’s candy soon after the Christmas decorations come down. The holiday in my opinion is one specifically designed to set up men for failure. Most girls/women hope and hint that they want a “romantic” surprised filled night. But, the problem is those women don’t verbally discuss this with their guy and unfortunately, the majority of the time someone in the relationship ends up extremely disappointed on the coveted day of February 14th. Yes, I have been on both sides of the fence the disappointed and the disappointee. As I have matured – and perhaps comfortable and confident in my relationship – my view on Valentine’s Day is; it is only one day of the year. Don’t get me wrong my husband is extremely romantic and he has sent me flowers at work on Valentine’s Day and we have on occasion gone to dinner on or around Valentine’s Day and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  But, what is most important to me is that he is able to express his love daily and not just on one special day of the year. With all that being said, my advice to any young couple, don’t put too much pressure on your...

A friend asked me this morning if I had any suggestions on last minute newborn holiday gifts. Luckily, for parents with newborns, you do not need to spend a lot of money because you only “need” one or two gifts. The baby will not be able to open the present themselves and probably will not aware of the festivities. Every day for a newborn is festive. Yes, “need” is in parenthesis because most newborns do not need any toys, but if most parents are like me they want to spoil their child during the holidays regardless of their age. Here are some last minute gifts that you can pick-up at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, or Toy’s R’Us. Of course, you can purchase them on Amazon, but with only two days left (including today) until Christmas and Hanukkah has already begun, you will not get them in time.  The list is derived from my own personal experience and friends. C2 loved anything that played music; he could chew on, or had bright colors. Leap Frog® Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout Activity Gym Kids Preferred Eric Carle’s Developmental Plush Toys Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Fun with Friends Muscial Table Fisher Price® Precious Planet™ Kick & Play Piano Baby Einstein® Roller Pillar Activity Balls Baby Einstein™ Sea Dreams Lullaby Soother by Kids II® LeapFrog My Pal Scout Vulli Sophie Giraffe Soft Rubber Toy Kids II® Baby Einstein™ Take Along Tunes 1.  Leap Frog® Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout– $17.99 Only available at Buy Buy Baby or Amazon 2.  LeapFrog My Pal Scout – $19.99 Available at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, Toys R’Us and Amazon 3.  Kids II® Baby Einstein™ Take Along Tunes – $9.99 Available at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, Toys R’Us and Amazon 4.  Baby...