Baby’s first steps are truly special. Make sure he or she has the right shoes for every stage of exploring the world on two feet!

Our very own Erica W. shows you the difference between prewalkers and first-walker baby shoes:

Toting your little bundle of joy around doesn’t have to hinder you from enjoying those family excursions. A big part of being a prepared parent is having just the right tools to make your trips (whether to the grocery store or a weekend getaway) a bit easier.

We’re rounding up a few of our favorite essentials for carrying not only your baby, but all their essentials as well.

1. Baby Jogger Compact Pram: This bassinet-style pram allows you to take baby out of his stroller without having to wake him up! Its mounting bracket attaches it to the stroller with ease.

2. Baby Jogger City Mini Single Stroller: A lightweight and easy-to-fold stroller is great for all kinds of travel.

3. Diaper Dude Koi Dude Bag: Designed for dad, but works for mom, too! We love all the storage on this as well as the comfy crossbody design.

4. Timi & Leslie Hannah Diaper Bag: For the mom who values style and function, it doesn’t get any better than this versatile bag.

5. BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Air: This lightweight baby carrier is great for hands-free convenience while keeping baby close to you.

6. LeSportsac Ryan Baby Bag: This super-spacious nylon diaper bag is essential for busy parents on the go.

I considered myself a mom long before I found out I was pregnant.  While these “kids” of mine are covered in fur, they are no less important to me. For the last four years, I have been owned by two great dogs – an Italian Greyhound named Ava and a Spaniel mix named Jackson. They have taught me so much about caring for another living being, that I credit them for making me into the mother my soon-to-be-born son is going to have.

As this is my first pregnancy, there has definitely been an adjustment period for all of us – dogs included. There are new routines and new ways of doing things that everyone had to get used to. While I believe my dogs are quite in tune with me, it’s hard to make them understand what all these changes mean. They still have demands and they still have needs that I need to tend to while trying to navigate all the changes that are happening with me. It can be hard to balance it all, but it is possible!

Here are my five tips for balancing pregnancy and pet ownership:

1. Know that your pets know. My dogs knew I was pregnant before I did. I was wondering why their personalities changed so drastically (Jackson became very clingy to me and Ava became very playful – out of character for her) and when I found out I was pregnant, I realized the change came at the same time. You won’t fool your pets – they will know a huge change is coming.
2. Allow for some sniffing. As your pets realize there are changes occurring with you, they will try to use their best sense – their sense of smell – to get themselves acquainted with the new you. While it may seem awkward to allow your dogs to sniff you all day long, it’s how they learn and it’s important for their adjustment.
3. Have patience. Pregnancy brings a lot of hormonal changes and your patience may be in short supply, but if you are to have patience with anything, let it be your pets. They are going to be a bit anxious sensing the changes and not knowing exactly what is to come next. Losing your patience with them will make the adjustment that much harder.
4. Incorporate pets into an exercise regime. Pregnancy fatigue can cause you to want to do nothing but sleep, but that is not the healthiest of decisions. Pets – dogs, especially – can force you to get up and get some exercise. Use them to help you stay healthy.
5. Start new routines early. Things are going to change when the baby comes, that is undeniable. You can help ease everyone into the new routine by starting it long before the baby forces you into it. For example, if you plan to have the nursery a pet-free zone, start implementing the new rule right away. If you plan to walk the dogs while pushing a stroller, start doing so as soon as you bring the stroller home.

I have been able to really allow my dogs to investigate and acknowledge all the changes that are taking place with me and our family dynamic, and by doing so, they have taken everything more easily that I could have imagined. They still become anxious at times, especially during a new phase of the pregnancy, but with a little patience and understanding, they are able to adjust and take it all in stride.

Next phase: introducing them to the baby they have been sensing for the first time.

*Guest blogger Heather Reynolds is a pet lover and internet journalist at Trupanion, North America’s fastest growing pet insurance company. Trupanion offers 90% coverage of veterinary bills with no payout limits. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they become sick or injured.

Since 1971, Kalencom has been designing stylish diaper bags that make life easier by keeping you organized while looking good, too. Kalencom diaper bags have plenty of multifunctional pockets and spacious main compartments so that all of your baby’s essentials have a place, making it easier to locate something as small as a pacifier on those hectic days. Lucky for you, Kalencom diaper bags have fresh new styles with a hip twist that will make you want to use the bag even after your little one has outgrown diapers, bottles and pacifiers. The Continental Flair is an elegant combination that features a matching zipper pouch, large fold-out changing pad and an insulated bottle bag. The AZO-free nylon makes this combo really easy to clean – ideal for the on-the-go mommy. Kalencom diaper bags will always keep you stylish and stress-free so you can enjoy time spent with your little one. 

In honor of Mother's Day we are shining the spotlight on our expecting mothers and mothers with new arrivals within the ZFC. We all wonder...is there something in the water!? We wish these mothers-to-be and mothers with new arrivals all the best! Of course we will not forget – to all the mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!

You’ve chosen the perfect baby names. Your husband agrees with you on the ideal color for the baby’s room, and your best friend gave you a baby shower that celebrities would envy. (Those designer baby clothes are so cute that you daydream about handing them down to your own pregnant daughter someday in the distant, distant future.)

Looking for the perfect (or even tolerable!) maternity attire? We’ve got you covered with our maternity clothing B.A.B.Y. tips:

B is for basics. Take the time to try on the loveliest lingerie, from sky blue bras to pale pink panties. For example, take a look at the Bao Bei Maternity Racer Back Sports Bra , which is perfect for that prenatal yoga class you signed up for.

A is for attitude. You say you wish that you dared to wear a tank top? Then go for it! Remember, you’re a mother-to-be, and you deserve whatever you want, from a dill pickle next to your hot fudge sundae to a maternity tank top sparkling with glitter.

B is for blue, pink or fire engine red. Just because it’s in the maternity department does NOT mean it has to be a pale color. Remember that attitude!

Y is for YES. You know that feeling when you’ve found something to wear that you love? Well, you can find those I-love-it clothing choices when you’re pregnant, too. Just take your time, have a nice lunch before you shop and go with a friend. Or let your fingers do the shopping online. For a sample of the luscious lovelies you can find at online stores, check out this adorable fake fur cape by Maternal America .

Kaya was told there was a meeting in the photo studio today. However, the Superheroes in the KY warehouse planned a surprise party for team mate Kaya. Kaya is a stylist on the KY Photo Team. He styles, designs, and assists the photographers so the product images on http://www.zappos.com/ look amazing. Keep up the great work team!

Thanks for putting together this surprise party and showing our Core Value of Building a Positive Team and Family Spirit really works! Not to mention, its fun and, who doesn’t love cake?! By the way, I’m not sure who has the creepy voice saying “this is cake in the dark” but enjoy the video.

Good Luck Kaya!