Fourteen & Fifteen Month Favorites

An update on the latest favorites in our world! 

Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat // Confession...we've been using this car seat for much longer than these past two months. C has been in his new ride since around eight months (rear-facing), but just switched in July to be forward-facing. Current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics are to continue rear-facing until the age of two, but the carseat manufacturer says it's safe to switch over at a year, or after reaching height/weight requirements. For us, it was somewhere in the middle when we felt comfortable that C had enough strength and muscle tone to support himself, and when we got tired of giving him a concussion every time we tried hoisting him rear-facing into the middle of the back of my little car. He was still perfectly content to be rear-facing, but was getting mad about his head getting bopped all the time. It is seriously tough to hoist a kid who doesn't help much into a carseat in a small car! Alas, while it did make it a little easier to get C in the car seat by switching to forward facing, I think the only real relief would probably come with a bigger vehicle. A girl can dream...

Straw Cups // C discovered how to use a straw sometime in July, and hasn't looked back. We've been LOVING Lollacups for smoothies on the hot days of summer. Best part...not only is it a great way to sneak in some healthy fruits and veggies, C even holds the cup on his own to feed himself! Since these have a straw, they are not completely leak-proof, but great for toddlers and older kiddos. They have a 10oz capacity if filled to the top. I'm also seriously impressed with this Thermos stainless straw cup. I like to think of it as the kid-sized Yeti. We use it for water on-the-go, and it seriously will keep ICE for the entire day without sweating...and this is in the dog days of summer! As long as the lid is completely clicked shut, this little mug won't leak even if tipped upside down. Perfect for tossing in the diaper bag, lunch box, or purse!

Highlights Hello Magazine // We started getting Highlights Hello Magazine after C was gifted a subscription at his one year birthday. The pages are laminated, have fun little stories and activities for kiddos, and are virtually indestructible. C LOVES to read his magazines, and we usually keep one with us in the diaper bag and bring them along for car rides. Can't recommend this enough!

Cabinet Locks // Since C has become more mobile, we've been spending lots of time baby-proofing (Stay tuned for an upcoming post with all of the deets). These locks are great for keeping the cupboards off-limits, are super easy to use, don't require any drilling, and aren't very obvious against our white woodwork. I also picked up this version, to blend in with our oil-rubbed bronze knobs and darker wood-stained cabinets. To allow some exploring, C has a dedicated kitchen cabinet and bathroom drawer that a fully stocked with toddler-friendly items so he doesn't feel completely left out of the fun.

B. Wheeee-Is Soft Cars // These little pull-back cars are a fascination this past couple of months. C loves to watch them zoom across the floor, and has been trying to figure out how they work.

Keen Sandals // Before the broken leg incident, we were enjoying many trips to the park. Many of the local parks where we live have pea gravel under the playground equipment. These Keen sandals are easy to walk in and great for keeping the gravel out with their closed toes. Also a bonus, machine washable if they get too dirty!

Mini Book Set // We first stumbled across this adorable book after a visit from cousin J. C immediately fell in love with the tiny set of chunky mini-books tucked inside that are just his size. There are nine different board books each about 1.5"x1.5" and all about Tractors & Farm Trucks, Rescue & Emergency Vehicles, Mighty Machines, or Airplanes & Spacecraft. Each mini-book focuses on a specific vehicle, and has neat little descriptions explaining how they work, and what they are used for. The back covers even form a puzzle for when C is a little older!