My Juju & Me Go….

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Here’s a polished version with spelling and grammar fixes: 

One of our go-to spots when we need to get out of the house! 

There are so many hands-on activities for little ones to explore, climb, and burn energy. It’s been so fun to see Juju grow and develop independence. I used to carry him up the stairs; now he climbs, crawls, and walks to the second floor all by himself! 

Pro tip: The membership is 100% worth it if you plan to go more than a couple of times—it pays for itself fast. 

Parent math: One visit costs about $20 if your child is under one, and memberships start at $149.

A big part of our routine. 

Between childcare, workouts, and programs, it’s been a game changer for getting movement in while still having something for Juju too. 

The YMCA is a great place to grow up. I have the best memories at the Y—from sleepovers to summer programs—so I knew I wanted to share this with Juju. 

Most programs start at age three, but they do have a parent-and-baby swim lesson we can look forward to. Did I mention Parent Nights? Need I say more?! Lol.

A fun, casual date night with my Juju! My son loves the ladies, and it is so cute to watch him blush! Hooters is known for their wings, but their burgers are the best. 

All kids’ meals are served on a Frisbee, which is something fun to take home for the dogs! Not to mention the curly fries and tater tots.

Juju’s daycare is a huge part of our day-to-day life. It gives him a structured, safe space to learn and grow—and gives me the time I need to work and reset. 

As a first-time mother, it was hard to admit that I could not do both: care for my baby and work. The amount of mom guilt I carried was overwhelming. I asked myself, “Why can’t I do this?” But the truth is, no one can give 100% to everything at once. 

Bright Horizons came to my rescue, and when I toured, I knew this was where Juju would start his academic career.

AZ summers are brutal! 

A friend suggested I find an indoor playground to take Juju to, and Luv2Play was the answer! They have a section for itsy-bitsy toddlers to crawl and roll around without fear of hurting themselves or others. Lol. 

Plus, admission is FREE for children under 11 months. Luv2Play is another place where the membership makes more sense than paying drop-in prices. It’s about $20 per visit or $20 for a monthly membership. 

Pro tip: Always keep a few pairs of socks in your diaper bag for yourself and your mini!

The PC track is my happy place! Outside of runny eggs, I truly missed this place during the tail end of my pregnancy. I was pregnant during the summer and couldn’t handle the heat. Once I was able to get back out there—and Juju was no longer so delicate—I knew I had to share this part of myself with him. 

Running has been a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety, but also a form of meditation and exercise because it is free.99. Throw on your running shoes and go! Run away from your problems or run straight into them! 

My Juju is climbing now, and he loves the stairs! I let him challenge himself by climbing up and down the stadium stairs. It’s great for coordination. Plus, it wears him right into naptime! 

The PC schedule can be iffy, but no worries—Encanto Park is less than two minutes away!