• Handlebar: An adjustable handlebar may be a big concern for you if there are multiple people pushing the stroller that vary in height. For example, you may be 5’2”, and your partner is 6’3”. Can you both comfortably push the stroller? Ensure the handlebar can be easily adjusted to accommodate everyone’s height and leg span.
• Size: While folded lift the stroller to ensure the size and weight is manageable for you. A stroller that is too heavy for you may result in backaches. Also, check the basket size to ensure it’s big enough for the times you want to go power shopping. Also, Does the stroller fit in your car trunk?
• Umbrella: Not all umbrellas are created equally. Some only cover a small overhead space, leaving your baby exposed to the elements, while others provide good coverage. Some are fixed at the back, while others move completely to the other side of the stroller.
• Canopy: A stroller with a big canopy helps shield your baby from the sun. Some models come with a UV protective feature.

0-6 months

• Focus on: Keeping baby stable, and comfortably supported. Test out sturdy structured strollers that have a good suspension system that can absorb bounces and prevent jostling. Another important feature, a comfy seat that fully reclines, so your baby can lie flat on his/her back.

• Make things easier for you: A travel system or a stroller that accommodates an infant car seat to easily transition from car to stroller without disturbing your precious baby sleeping. At this stage, some moms find buying an inexpensive stroller frame, which the car seat snaps right into, works well for them.

• Consider: If you don’t drive much, instead of a travel system, get a stroller with a bassinet attachment. No attachments, adaptors or snaps to finagle with – something you’ll appreciate in the early sleep-deprived, new-mom days. The bassinet can also double as a mini crib.

6-12 months

• Focus on: Because your baby is most likely sitting upright the stroller seat is very important at this stage. Ensure it’s roomy, with plenty of cushioning & support; adjustable; and offer multiple recline positions to keep up with your active baby. Also, make sure it comes with a comfortable five-point harness to keep your little one snug and secure while you’re strolling.

• Make things easier for you: As your baby continues to grow and gets more aware of his/her surroundings a seat that faces forward AND backward may make things easier for you.

• Consider: How does your stroller fit your lifestyle? If you are a runner, Do you want a stroller that you can push as you’re running? If so, look for a lightweight jogging stroller with larger wheels that easily handles sidewalks and trails. Are you always on the go? An ultra-portable umbrella stroller that’s easy to stash in the trunk with good smooth moving wheels may work for you.

18-24 months

• Focus on: You’re approaching the toddler years and your child is becoming more curious, eager and independent. This usually means lots of getting the child in and out of the stroller. Opt for a lightweight stroller with a quick and simple folding system with a comfortable five-point harness to keep your active child secure, and check for potential pinch points where the canopy opens and closes to protect your child’s fingers

• Make things easier for you: A stroller that has large smooth rolling wheels makes pushing the stroller easier for you, especially while your toddler is walking, or wants to be carried; you’ll need to steer the stroller with the other hand. That’s not easy to do with every stroller. A lot of strollers come with cup holders and a tray for your toddler to use while drinking or eating. Some also include compartments for mobile phones and more, so you don’t have to reach down into the basket whenever you need access to your own stuff.

• Consider: A stroller with a ride-on board can also be helpful on the days your child wants to be a big kid and walk instead of being wheeled around. Then when your childs gets tired, he/she can simply just hop on the ride-on board.

Some benefits to exercise:  Lifts your spirits, Improved posture, Curbs excess weight gain, Reduced pregnancy symptoms, Improved core strength, Improved ability to cope with labor, and Improved recovery time after delivery.

Click on the below link for addtional information: http://www.welcomebabyhome.com/pregnancy/why_exercise_is_important_during_pregnancy.h

Click on the below link for pregnancy exercise examples:

http://www.fitpregnancy.com/workouts/prenatal-workouts/no-time-no-excuses-workout

Make the best of winter and have some outside fun. Listed below are some fun family activities that adults enjoy as well as kids.

Winter Treasure Hunt

Everyone loves a little adventure! Explore your backyard and go on a treasure hunt. The concept here is the same: bury toys and trinkets the kids can unearth.

Best for kids +2 years old

What You’ll Need: Treasures like toys and colorful holiday ornaments; jars or other containers.

Directions: After a big snowfall, gather your materials. Create your own mini treasure hunt by half-burying goodies in the snow around the yard. (Make sure the kids  can see something peeking out.) When you’re done, give your kids five minutes to see how many treasures they can find in the snow and put in their jars! Then use your imagination and transform them into a craft.

Host the Winter Olympics

Gather some family, friends, and  neighbor kids and host your own version of the Winter Games, including snowball "archery" (pick a target and see whose arm is most accurate); a three-legged boot race through the snow; and snow "hurdles."

Best  for kids: +5 years old

What You’ll Need: ribbons or medals; snow; and your imagination!

Directions: Select a few games to play, and divide kids into teams (or countries) as necessary. You can provide gold, silver and bronze medals if you want, or just congratulate the winners of each event. Afterwards, give everyone hot cocoa as a consolation prize.

Edible Snowman

The ones made from the wet stuff are fun, but these are way more delicious.

Best for kids: + 3 years old

What You’ll Need: marshmallows; toothpicks; royal icing; mini M&Ms; gum drops; thin crackers, small pretzel sticks; cut raisins; other candies you have on hand.

Directions: Take three marshmallows and stack them as you would stack the body of a real snowman. To fasten them together, insert a toothpick upwards through the bottom of the snowman. Next, dress your snowman however you’d like: Insert pretzel sticks as arms. Use the sticky royal icing to attach mini M&Ms for the eyes, gum drops and a thin cracker for the snowman’s top hat, raisins for buttons. Have fun with your creations!

Make a Bird Feeder

Give the winged friends in your yard a winter treat by making this easy pinecone craft.

Best for kids: +2 years old

What You’ll Need: a pinecone; ribbon or yarn; peanut butter; bird seed; a plastic knife; plate.

Directions: Tie a long piece of ribbon or yarn around the top part of your pinecone so it is knotted securely; then tie another knot at the end of the ribbon to make a loop so you can hang it from a tree branch. Next, use a plastic knife to spread peanut butter all over (and in between) the pinecone. Pour bird seed onto a plate and then roll your peanut butter-covered pinecone in the seed until it's well-coated. Hang your feeder on a tree branch in your yard.

Tie Dye Some Snow

Kids love coloring? Let your snowy backyard be a canvas for an eco-friendly “graffiti” project.

Best for kids +3 years old

What You’ll Need: Five plastic spray bottles; water; five types of food coloring.

Directions: Take the tops off of the five plastic spray bottles. Fill each with tap water. Open one food-coloring bottle and add between five to 10 drops. Screw top back on plastic bottle. Shake to distribute food coloring. Repeat process for each plastic spray bottle until all are filled with a different color. Take bottles outside with your kids. Instruct them to add splashes of color to each snowy surface in your backyard and voila! Instant snow art.

Pin the Clothes on the Snowman

This frosty-themed family or party activity transforms the classic fun of pinning the tale on the donkey. All you need is paper, tape and some kiddy creativity!

Best for kids +3 years old

What You’ll Need: Poster board; construction paper; blindfold; markers; kid-safe scissors; double-sided tape.

Directions: First, draw the outline of a snowman -- three circles that make up the body and head -- on the poster board. Tape poster board to a nearby wall. Next, hand your children the construction paper. Using the markers, have them draw various body parts and clothing, like eyes, hats, scarves, arms, mouths and a corncob pipe. Then, using the kid-safe scissors, guide them in cutting out each item. Next, have the kids play the game, instructing them to place the shapes on the poster board as best they can with the blindfold on. 

Water Colors

Capture the family in Technicolor with this unique spin on a family portrait. Bonus: It’s a fun trick for teaching the little ones their colors.

Best for kids +3 years old

What you’ll need: Water; enough colors of food coloring for each family member

Directions: First, prepare your colored water. Have one container of water designated for each family member. Then, after choosing one color for each family member, drop 5 to 10 drops of one food coloring into each container. Mix. Next, have family members go outside and lie down next to each other in the snow for a moment. Carefully get up. Next, have each family member select a container of colored water. Have each one gingerly pour his or her colored water into their outlines. Capture your art in a photo before it melts

Play Snowflake Detective

Show your junior Sherlocks how fun snowflakes can be with some easy help from a magnifying glass.

Best for kids +3 years old

What you’ll need: A good magnifying glass; snow

 Directions: On a snowy day, go outside with the magnifying glass. Spread some snow out on a table or a flat surface so the kids can see the crystals more clearly. With the magnifying glass, have them take close-up looks at the flakes to see if, in fact, no two have the same pattern

Make Colorful Ice Balloons

Want to wow your kids with a fun project that creates pretty snow decor? Make these vibrant (and easy!) ice balloons from The Queen Says.

 Best for kids +4 years old

What You'll Need: balloons; food coloring; water; scissors

Directions: Fill balloons with a drop of food coloring and water; tie shut and either pop in the freezer or leave outside overnight, if it's cold enough, to freeze. When they're frozen solid, use scissors to cut the latex balloon off of the frozen orb. Voila! Instant colorful ice sculptures.

credit to: http://www.ivillage.com/fun-things-do-winter-kids/6-b-300886