If you’ve ever attempted a dairy-free diet, you know it’s no easy task. Milk products and derivatives hide in the most unsuspecting places, so nearly everything feels off-limits.

So when I had to go dairy-free while breastfeeding my dairy-intolerant daughter 2 years ago, letting go of some of my favorite Trader Joe’s items was painful. No more Turkey Corn Dogs? Or Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese? No more Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches?!

Of course, over time, I discovered a whole new slew of Trader Joe’s favorites that fit right in with a dairy-free or even vegan lifestyle. And just in time for me to go dairy-free again for my son, who also has a dairy intolerance (it’s my curse in life).

You wouldn’t think it would be hard to choose gifts for toddlers, but surprisingly… it is! There are so many options for gifts – books, toys, activities, etc. – and it’s hard to know what’s going to be an annoying, quickly forgotten toy, and what will be a fun, long-lasting gift.

But rest assured, everything on this list is tried and true by a real toddler and preschooler. These are the toys that my 2.5-year-old and almost 5-year-old either already have and love, or are getting this year.

When you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, one of the most stressful things is packing your hospital bag. You don’t know what to expect, what you’ll need, what baby will need, or more importantly, when you’ll need it all.

It’s all very overwhelming! But never fear, I have your hospital bag checklist right here. I’ve done this three times now, so I know what’s truly essential, and what’s nice to have, and what’s flat-out not needed.

You probably already know the typical postpartum essentials for new moms – maxi-pads, nursing bras, numbing spray, Tylenol, etc. These are all very important items for postpartum moms, but that’s not what this list is for.

There’s no doubt that this is the weirdest time in recent history to be pregnant. Typically, a baby shower would be high on the priority list for any pregnant mama, but in the age of social distancing, baby shower plans are all but non-existent.

But they don’t have to be – there are tons of creative ways to host a successful socially distanced baby shower, and give moms-to-be all the love and celebration they deserve.