Lucy

The things I wish someone handed me the minute I got home with a tiny human. Because postpartum isn’t just “healing.” It’s leaking, sweating, crying, snacking at 2AM, and trying to remember who you were before your left hip started hurting for no reason. This list is the stuff that actually saves you — the things that stop you from googling “is this normal” at 4AM, the things that make recovery less feral, and the things that make feeding, resting, and surviving feel… doable. Expect: ✔ products that keep you clean(ish) ✔ things that make your body hurt less ✔ tiny life-saving gadgets you’ll swear by ✔ comfort items that make you feel human again Basically: all the stuff moms don’t gatekeep once they’re on the other side. Add what you need → ignore what you don’t → build the version of postpartum that feels good for you. You deserve ease. Even now. Especially now.

Toys that don’t make you regret taking them out of the box. This list = the baby + toddler toys that actually get played with… not the ones that end up in the corner collecting dust like a sad museum exhibit. Everything here is: ✔ toddler-chaos-tested ✔ meltdown-reducing ✔ secretly helps their brain grow ✔ fun enough that YOU won’t lose your mind when they ask for it again ✔ durable enough to survive being thrown, chewed on, and stepped on at 6AM Think: – toys that buy you 10 minutes to drink your coffee hot – sensory picks that stop boredom tantrums – classics that last through multiple ages – things they’ll use every day, not just when company comes over Whether you’re building a starter collection or refreshing the toy rotation, this list is full of the good stuff — the “oh thank god this keeps them busy” toys. Add what fits your kid. Skip what doesn’t. Enjoy the silence while it lasts. 💀✨

Top recommended food finds in the Chicagoland area and surrounding areas.