To pack and play, but where?

I'm a bit late to the pack and play (also known as playard) game since my son is 4 months old and I just got one.  And now that I have one, where do I put it?

The hubby and I decided that it would go in the family room right now since we don't have any other cushioned surface in that area. However, he wanted it in the corner next to a wall so it wouldn't look so obstrusive in our very modern family room. The thing is that the whole purpose of having a pack and play is so that I can be in the kitchen or working while sitting in the family room and being able to see the baby playing from different angles. So after both sides presenting our reasoning and some frustration on my part, the hubby gave in and decided to leave it right smack in the middle of our family room where I originally suggested. Also, it is where I could also see the baby from the kitchen. Note: I have an open kitchen that is right next to my family room.

And now I'm strongly considering buying those padded, colorful mats that you see at daycare centers for my family room so that the baby can play freely (and I'll be with him of course). But after a lot of research, are those things safe?

I went on Amazon when I woke up at around 4:30 a.m. (I was so tired that I fell asleep with all of my clothes and jewelry on at 8:30 p.m.) this morning and lots of reviews said that they smell like those permanent markers and that the colors come off and on some, the removable parts are choking hazards (YIKES!). What are is your experience with them? Would you recommend them? I saw one called the SoftSpot and it looks nice but at $100 for just the mat (cover is another $40), I'm not so sure about it. Do you have one of those and is it a product that you can't live without?

I'm dying to know what other parents do about this. And have you had the discussion as to where the pack and play or other kid gear should go with your hubby and/or significant other? Did you end up with a pros and cons list? How did you decide? Did you get to pick where one went and he chose the other?

How do moms relax?

Every day I seem to find myself running around from one thing to the next and from one place to another nonstop. My morning routine begins at about 6:30 a.m. and I don't sit down to veg out until my baby is sleeping around 8:30 p.m. As for food, I'm lucky if I eat three full meals a day as time seems to go by faster than I can remember.

I'm sure most of you can relate to this and I'm interested in knowing how other moms relax? Do you get a mani/ pedi once a week? Do you go for a run or take a yoga class? Or is it as simple as watching any of The Real Housewives series? Do you have a glass of wine with friends once a week?

Usually my relaxation routine would include going to bootcamp, ideally a kickboxing cardio class to let out all my stress from the week. But since I've been sick, it's been sitting on the couch to watch whatever RHW series is on. Although I may not particularly like all of them, I feel better knowing that I don't have their kind of problems. Other ways to relax can be as low key as drinking my favorite cup of tea right before going to bed and just sinking into my pillow before I doze off.

On the weekends I look forward to my family mornings taking walks in the park with my husband, son and dog. There is something about the fresh morning air that makes me feel so energized. What do you do on the weekends to forget the stressful week?