From: Kids Today

“The structured carriers that do well for us are the ones that are more ergonomic and offer better back support for the parent and better support for the infant as well, like the Beco Butterfly or Ergo Baby carrier.”

Ergobaby Original Carrier – Aussie Khaki

Ergobaby Original Carrier – Aussie Khaki

Bruges, Belgium

Our first overnight adventure outside of Germany was to Bruges, Belgium. My husband and I visited Bruges about seven years ago when we lived in Germany before, but this was our first time with kids. It was different. To say the least. But in a wonderfully crazy, loud, kid kind of way.

Bruges’ history lies in its location: it served as a through-way between northern and southern Europe. The city’s heyday was in the 14th and 15th Century, and admiring buildings that old puts into perspective just how young The United States is. The system of canals throughout the city earned Bruges the nickname “The Venice of the North” and its beautiful sites, good food and art museums have earned the affection of tourists.

Family-Friendly Destination Details

• Hotel: Hotel Cordoneanier. This 22 room hotel was perfect for us. We had a “triple room”, which in Europe means one double bed and a twin bed so the room was pretty tight by American standards. The hotel was clean, the staff was great and it was in a perfect location. We loved the free breakfast and the attached hotel bar was the perfect place to grab a Belgian beer after a long day.
• Favorite Meals: The Flemish Pot (order the beef stew!), De Hobbit and Laurenzito Waffels
• Must Do Activities: Tour Bruges by boat, hang out in the Markt, eat fresh chocolate (we like Dumon and The Chocolate Line), take a horse-and-buggy ride through the city.

Baby Gear We Used

• Carrier: ERGObaby
• Stroller: Joovy Ergo Caboose (now shipping free to many countries in Europe!)
• Diaper Bag: Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack
• Travel Crib: BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light 2

Through Our Lens

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Photos taken with my new camera and iPhone using Instagram – follow me!

This post was submitted by ErgoMama Kate Marsh Lord as part of our Summer Travel Series.  This post originally appeared on Kate’s blog, The Shopping Mama.  See the original post here.  After graduating law school and moving around the world with her Air Force husband, Kate settled down and had two beautiful little ones. The children changed her online motivation from researching legal issues to tracking down the best in everything for kids from strollers to monogrammed onesies.

Happy August!  This month, to celebrate the many ways and places you can Hug Everywhere, we have two fun promotions running.  A photo contest and a carrier a day giveaway!

Let’s all Hug Everywhere!  The Ergobaby carrier keeps your baby close, while leaving you free to move about your busy day. The ergonomic design is so comfortable, you can wear it longer. And the carrier cradles your baby just the way you do when you hug, so you can hug everywhere, no matter what you are doing.

Show Us Your Hugs Photo Contest
Where have you hugged your baby? Have you hugged your baby in the Ergo at the Great Wall of China? Strolled a tropical beach? Navigated the crowds at an amusement park? Or have you been able to take a break and breastfeed or cuddle with baby while out and about? We want to see your photos!  Click here to send us your photos and be entered to win these great prizes:

Top Prize
Your photo in an Ergobaby Hug Everywhere ad
Your photo in our web and blog gallery
Original Baby Carrier – Aussie Khaki
Travel Backpack
$200 gift certificate towards any Ergobaby.com purchase

Second Prize
Your photo in our web and blog gallery
Original Baby Carrier – Aussie Khaki
Travel Backpack
$100 gift certificate towards any Ergobaby.com purchase

Third Prize
Your photo in our web and blog gallery
Travel Backpack
$50 gift certificate towards any Ergobaby.com purchase

Three (3) winners will be chosen by Ergobaby from the top 10 photos. So be sure to get your friends to vote for your photo!

A Carrier A Day Giveaway
In order to help you Hug Everywhere, we’re giving away a carrier each day in August.  Between 10-11am PST, we will post a fan photo on Facebook revealing which carrier we will giveaway.  Enter the contest, and we will draw a winner from those entries each day.  And, as a bonus, if you refer two (2) friends, you will be entered for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate, good on Ergobaby.com!  Each entry is eligible to win only one (1) carrier.

Rules and entry for Show Us Your Hugs Photo Contest available here and A Carrier A Day Giveaway here.  Both contests are open to US Residents only.  Thank you.

From:  Jodi Kendall Blog

“This carrier’s comfort stood out during the testing process, and both my husband and I can vouch that we didn’t ache or have sore spots after using it. One thing to note about the Aussie Khaki color: it’s a new color option for the company, and I especially loved that it channeled a bit of the explorer in me with its look, and my husband felt like it had enough masculine edge for him to feel comfortable wearing too. This carrier color is a great option for couples who crave functional features and something neutral and attractive in appearance. If I was taking my son Townes on one of my expeditions, this is the carrier I would reach for!”

Head over to Jodi’s blog for the entire review and an exclusive discount code!

Ergobaby Original Carrier- Aussie Khaki &  Ergobaby Bundle of Joy

“There’s so much to love about Ergobaby: ergonomically designed products that keep baby close and parents happy.”

Photo courtesy of: Hailey Nolan

Have a great travel story?  Been to the Wall of China with baby on your back?  Traveled cross country in an RV with the family in tow?  Navigated the London Tube hands free wearing baby?  Walked the beach at sunset, with baby safely snuggled on your chest? Hiked deep in the Sierras with baby where no strollers dare to go?  We want to hear about it!  This summer, we will be posting our reader’s travel adventures as part of our “Summer Travel Series.”

Submit your story (at least 500 words), complete with pictures (3-6 photos total and at least one should be with an Ergobaby Carrier!) to submissions@ergobaby.com.  If your story is chosen to feature on the blog, we’ll send you one of our new Original Collection Carriers, Zebra or Aussie Khaki OR a Performance Collection Carrier, PLUS our Travel Backpack for your next adventure!

We will be choosing one story per week and posting to the Ergobaby blog until September 1.

Photo courtesy of: Marlene Lin and malimish.com

Rules and other legal stuff:

• Posts should be 500-1000 words.
• All relevant links should be included in post.
• Posts already published on your blog are ok, we will link back to the original post.
• Ergobaby will review all content and may need to make edits before your post goes live.
• Ergobaby reserves the right to decline any content we deem inappropriate, or not in line with the company’s values and visitor needs. This may include adult content, affiliate links, and any other off-topic content.
• All content you provide becomes the property of Ergobaby. We reserve the right to edit the content at any time.
• Submission deadline is August 25, 2012.
• Open to US residents only.
• Ergobaby reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time.

Inspiring this adventuresome promotion are the two latest styles in the Ergobaby Original Carrier Collection: Zebra and Aussie Khaki.  Taking cues from the beautiful and striking safari animal, Ergobaby’s Original Zebra Carrier is made from 100% cotton canvas with a soft cotton poplin black hood. Despite the harsh climate of the Australian Outback, the Original Collection Aussie Khaki is made of an ultra-soft brushed cotton canvas with a soft cotton sateen black hood.

What are you waiting for?  Head down to your local retailer and let Ergobaby take you to the Zoo!

This promotion is in participating stores only and not online.  This promotion is being conducted by certain participating Ergobaby retailers.  Check with your local store to see if they are participating.  Stores will notify their local winners of the Spring Zoo promotion at the end of June. For a list of participating stores, please visit www.ergobaby.com/zoo.

ERGOBABY GOES WILD WITH SPRINGTIME ZOO PROMOTION

Inspired by the Ergobaby Zebra and Aussie Khaki Carriers 

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2012) – Ergobaby, creator of innovative designs in baby carriers and travel systems that enable an active parenting lifestyle, is asking customers to show their wild side this Spring with the new Zebra and Aussie Khaki carriers. From June 1^st until June 15^th, many baby stores are conducting a promotion where customers can enter to win a family day pass to a local zoo. Stores will draw three names at the end of June and these lucky winners will get to venture with their “joey” in their favorite Ergobaby to a zoo near them.

The promotion is inspired by two of the new baby carriers from the Spring Collection.  Ergobaby’s Original Collection Zebra Carrier comes straight from the beautiful and striking safari animal.  It is made from 100% cotton canvas with a soft cotton poplin black hood. Despite the harsh climate of the Australian Outback, the Original Collection Aussie Khaki Carrier is made of an ultra-soft brushed cotton canvas with a soft cotton sateen black hood. Thanks to Ergobaby, navigating the concrete jungle with your little one has never been easier and more fun!

“Spring is the perfect time for parents and their children to go outdoors and enjoy a family activity together,” said Cathy Dean, Global Brand Director of Ergobaby. “We know how much young children love animals so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to collaborate with our local retailers and local zoos while also promoting our new animal and outdoor themed baby carriers.”

Stores will notify their local winners of the Spring Zoo promotion at the end of June. The Original Zebra Carrier retails for $120 and the Original Aussie Khaki Carrier for $115. For more information on where to purchase these items or on Ergobaby in general, please visit www.ergobaby.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Monica Guzman / Maithili Gadgil
mguzman@konnect-pr.com
mgadgil@konnect-pr.com
www.konnect-pr.com

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About Ergobaby

Founded in 2003, Ergobaby creates innovative designs in providing parents with optimal parenting solutions.  Ergobaby offers a broad range of baby carriers, strollers, car seats, and related products to enable an active parenting lifestyle. Ergobaby carriers are the ultimate in comfort and ergonomics, allowing you to carry babies from birth to toddler. Ergobaby is headquartered in Los Angeles and is sold in more than 700 retailers and webshops in the United States and in approximately 20 countries internationally. For more information on Ergobaby, please visit www.ergobaby.com.

And number 290 is:

Congratulations to Sandy W!

And thanks to everyone for playing.  We hope you had a great time getting out & about for BabyCenter’s Big Day Out!!  We look forward to seeing pictures!