There are so many wonderful baby products out on the market today, that it can be super hard to decide what is really necessary, and what is just good marketing. Now that we are on baby number two, I needed to re-evaluate and rethink my essentials for life with two littles. Here's a list of some new baby items that I'm excited about!

Double Stroller // Lamp Dimmer Switch // Diaper Bag // Stuffed Animal // Bouncer // Solly Wrap // Baby Book & Journal // Tea // Weekender Bag // Sleeper // Blanket

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller // This stroller was the first purchase we made after learning we would be welcoming baby two. It has tons of configurations, is as narrow as a single stroller, breaks down to easily fit in my small trunk, is compact enough for pushing through aisles on shopping trips or sidewalks, and can also be used as a single stroller when the double is no longer needed. It is not a 'jogging' stroller, so if you are going to be using it on uneven terrain, this isn't your best bet, but for us, at this time in our life, it is perfect.

Lamp Dimmer Switch // Not something you typically think of as an essential, but once you have one, you'll Never. Go. Back. During the endless middle of the night wakeup calls, this switch has been sooooo amazing to help avoid the shock of harsh light from my beside lamp when I'm half asleep...not to mention Papa T also appreciates not being woken up by a blinding light in the middle of the night. I keep it on the lowest setting when I put baby to bed at night so that I can walk in and check on him when it is dark without waking him up with a bright light. Trust me...just order it already.

Diaper Bag // With two littles in diapers, I needed a new bag that would offer plenty of room for the kitchen sink all of the essentials. I'm not a fan of cutesy prints and patterns, and wanted something that was both stylish and functional. Enter the Downtown Tote from Petunia Pickle Bottom. It has tons of pockets for organizing, is stylish enough to carry as an everyday bag when I no longer need to use it as a diaper bag, and the fabric is a coated canvas that easily wipes clean in case of any spills. And shhhh!...it is coupon eligible at Pottery Barn Kids.

Stuffed Animal // I wanted to have a special heirloom quality stuffed animal to use in G's milestone photos to show just how much he grows month to month, and came across this adorable raccoon from Hazel Village. Of course, big brother C has decided that he loves him too, and tries to sneak off with Max every chance he gets. The backstory: Hazel Village was started on Etsy in 2010 by a 25 year old girl living in Brooklyn, NY. Her stuffed animals are now sold in over 200 stores nationwide. Such a neat backstory, and I think it's so cool to know that this little animal was made in America by someone my age who had a dream six years ago and made it a reality.

Baby Bjorn Bouncer // Baby G has been a such different kid than C at this age, and it soon became apparent that he would much prefer to be sitting up and looking around at the world rather than laying flat on his back or being snuggled up in our favorite Rock'N'Play during the daytime hours. I snagged this bouncer on sale, and it soon became a favorite. The mesh fabric is wonderful for breathability (recall baby G was born in July), slips off easily for washing, lays completely flat for storing and transporting to Grandma's, can be used from infancy until age two (longevity!), and doesn't scream 'DAYCARE' with bright primary colors. LOVE. A hint...this bouncer is coupon eligible at both Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby.

Solly Baby Wrap // I can not say enough good things about this wrap carrier. It is completely adjustable, making it easy for any body size or type to wear, is made from a lightweight breathable fabric, and has a super small footprint making it easy to throw in the diaper bag without taking up hardly any space. While at $65 it does seem a bit pricey for a piece of fabric, this has been one of the best investments I've made for baby #2, and I would happily purchase about three more colors if I could convince T! Highly recommend!

Baby Book & Journal // Before I had C, I had all kinds of time to create a scrapbook for his baby book. It was a labor of love to be sure, and I'm so happy to have it to look back at. Fast forward two years, and finding time to make a new scrapbook for baby with a busy toddler on my hands was not even close to in my deck of cards. Thankfully, I spotted this amazing baby book from Lucy Darling that I am equally happy with! The pages and colors are adorable, it's relatively simple, and it doesn't give me anxiety about keeping it up to date. There are also adorable girl versions if you have sparkles and bows in your life. On the same thread, but probably ranking even HIGHER on my list of amazing products I came across this time around...I give you the Promptly Journal. This journal goes from pregnancy through 18 years old, and offers prompts of what to write about at each age and minimal space for just one photo for each age (simplicity at it's finest!). I can't even tell you how excited I am to have this journal to fill out and keep track of all of baby's milestones. It has a beautiful linen hardcover, relevant questions for each age, and will be cherished for years to come. I am so excited to have found this book, and know that I will love to look back at it someday when my little people are no longer so little, or have littles of their own. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea // With my first babe, it took about a week for my milk to 'come in' as they say. This time around, it had come in by the time we left the hospital saving me from a painful start on our breastfeeding journey. To help keep my milk supply up, I've been drinking this tea which is loaded with herbs known to increase milk supply such as fenugreek, and blessed thistle. While I didn't necessarily need this to increase my supply, I did notice that after drinking it, baby G seemed to be more content to stretch feedings a bit longer. That alone is enough reason to promote it in my book!

Weekender Bag // After spotting this bag on another mommy blog I follow, I knew I had to have it. It is big enough to pack both kiddos and their diapers for a long weekend away, has great divided compartments for organization, and has been used too many times to count since G's arrival in July. I love that it folds down compactly when not in use, and isn't as bulky as a more structured suitcase for quick weekend getaways. I also have and LOVE the Overnighter for mom!

Sleepers // The first couple of months home with baby number two were all about survival mode. These sleepers proved to come in handy when looking for a quick outfit, and were perfect for use as a second 'blowout preparedness' outfit to toss in the diaper bag. The fact that they have a zipper instead of endless buttons to figure out in the middle of the night is also clutch. Also a bonus - fold over mittens to protect baby's face from scratches. Babies are teeny tiny for only such a short while, and these are super affordable, so I didn't feel too bad about stocking up!

Baby Blanket // I wanted G to have a special baby blanket that could become his favorite just like his big brother has. It was important to me that it be plain colored since it'll likely be featured in many photos, be a nice compact size for travel, and be super soft. I snagged this blanket for a steal during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, and am so glad I did. It is very high quality and will be perfect for the upcoming colder than average winter that the Farmer's Almanac has predicted for this year! Now if I could just find one in an adult size.

What are your favorites? I'd love to hear!

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!

Twelve & Thirteen Month Favorites

At long last...twelve and thirteen month favorites. I've been working on this list for a while now, and had so many great things to put on it that I ended up having to cut it down to keep it under control. Whoops!

Sleepers // After burning through several different low-quality brands of pajamas before hitting the one year mark, I bit the bullet and ordered a few pairs of footless sleepers from Hanna Andersson for summer. They have amazing reviews, and are truly a much better quality than most other brands out there when it comes to baby sleepwear. They are made of a more substantial cotton than most other PJs we've burned through, wash well,  and look just as good today as they did over a month ago. Hanna Andersson also has great baby socks that are super warm and cozy for keeping feet toasty on cooler nights or before the one year mark when it's OK to sleep with blankets.

B. Parum Pum Pum Drum Set // After being gifted this fun music set for his birthday, C has been playing with it on a daily basis. His favorites are the drum sticks, mini shaker, and drum lid. It's been fun watching him explore the different 'instruments' and learning to make music.

Sun Hat // C has everything from baseball caps, to fedoras, to swim hats in his wardrobe, and with bright sunny days of summer upon us, we can never have enough. I found this neutral sun hat with ties under the chin from Hanna Andersson. The swim hats sometimes don't have a long enough strap to fasten under the chin, plus they are usually velcro-closure that snags clothing. This version has a long enough tie that it doesn't dig into the double chin, and looks cute while keeping his face in the shade. Hanna Andersson has many other colors available if you are looking to match an outfit!

Step2 Infant to Toddler Swing // C has had so much fun swinging now that we're into summer weather. He loves the motion of swinging, and enjoys being outside to watch the world around him. T installed the swing under our deck right near where he has his smoker set up, so C has enjoyed being part of the boys club while T is playing pit master on the BBQ.

Joovy Spoon Walker // After hearing about horror stories of walkers that went tumbling down stairs with baby in tow, and reading reports that say walkers can actually delay learning to walk, we were VERY hesitant to join the club. However, after C tried out cousin J's walker while we were visiting, and his doctor hinted that it may be good for him, we came to the decision that we may as well give it a try to see if it helps him figure out how to walk and move his feet instead of just planting himself in one spot. Since we were a bit late to the walker game, our selection was limited based on height and weight requirements. The Joovy Spoon fit the bill supporting kiddos up to 30lbs and 33.5inches in height. (For reference, most other walkers only support up to 25lbs.) It was a bit more expensive than other walkers on the market, but the quality is great, and the simple design and oversized removable tray for eating and playing with toys we already have at home were also selling points. The color choices were also better than most for blending in to our home as much as possible - we opted for the charcoal color - and the open back helps with avoiding pinched heels. This walker has traveled with us several times, and folds down nicely, has a machine washable seat, and plastic bumpers for those inevitable crashes into the furniture and cabinets. A money-saving tip...Sign up for emails, and save by purchasing from Bed Bath & Beyond using one of their 20% off coupons! Nope, they're not a baby store, but they are a sister store to Buy Buy Baby, and offer many of the same products online.

John Deere Massaging Corn Teether // We have Great Grandpa K to thank for this favorite teether. It took a while for C to catch on to biting hard enough to make the teether vibrate, but since he figured it out, it tends to be the first one he reaches for...after Sophie that is...

Fisherman Sandals // Perfect for warm weather, I picked up this plain brown version for cheap at Walmart. They have more support than some of the more flimsy options I was able to find online, and are a nice neutral color that goes with just about every outfit in C's closet. Another great thing, they were less than $10! We recently also added these Keen's to wear with more athletic inspired outfits during the hot summer months. They're built to last, are machine washable, are great for new walkers, have excellent reviews, and I've spotted them on several little kiddos C's age this summer...win win win win win!

Rompers // These one piece outfits are perfect for warm weather and babies on the go. Some places to shop for these: Gap, Oshkosh, Carters, Hanna Andersson, Nordstrom.

Ten & Eleven Month Favorites

No joke, ten and eleven month favorites took me a while to come up with. Things that immediately came to mind were empty plastic water bottles, napkins, and cardboard boxes. After a little more pondering, I realized that while those things have certainly played a large part in the last couple of months, there are some other items that have been regular staples in recent days that are also probably worth a mention. So without further adieu...

Melissa & Doug Flapping Fish // We can't seem to get enough of this wooden flapping fish at our house. C has been fascinated shaking the fish around and getting it to make noise. We thought this wouldn't even come close to being a favorite, but for whatever reason, it seems to hold C's attention longer than most, and he will often reach for it instead of many of his other more annoying brightly colored rattles and shakers.

Food Pouches // With all of the traveling we've been doing lately, we've been loving baby food pouches for on the go meals. They are quick, easy, and convenient. We aren't specific about the brand, and usually mix it up choosing options that sounds the most appetizing. Also loving this set from OXO that includes a travel friendly roll-up bib, and soft spoon. C has been teething and wanting to chew on everything, so the hard plastic baby spoons have been hurting his gums when he chomps down. The soft silicon on the OXO spoon is the perfect solution. As he transitions to feeding himself, I plan to get him this feeding set.

Construction Equipment // Boys and their trucks...many hours have been spent playing with this dump truck and backhoe. Dumping out blocks, flipping it over to inspect the wheels, you name it. The small backhoe is the perfect size for little hands to grasp, chew on, or bring along on road trips.

Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub // Bath time around our house is always quite the event, and we couldn't be happier with Munchkin's inflatable duck tub. It is perfect for babies who are sitting, but don't need the space of the entire bathtub just yet. It has a nice little sticker on the bottom that tells you when the bath water is too hot, and provides more support for slippery little water babies than the big tub. Because it's inflatable, it can be packed away when baby grows out of it unlike our infant baby tub. These rubber boat party water squirties have also been a huge hit for bath time fun and swimming, and come in many different styles if your little isn't into boats.

Fleece Jacket // C had a fleece jacket and pant set from Baby Gap that he wore about three times a week all spring. Sadly, the fleece version is no longer available as we're gearing up for summer weather (lightweight version here), but The North Face has some equally warm and cozy looking jacket options (here, here, here, here), that we'll be keeping in mind for the coming fall.

Water Bottles // Empty...half full...or filled with shells and rocks, C LOVES playing, shaking, and crinkling plastic water bottles. Better yet if it's a giant Gatorade bottle. Cheap entertainment at it's finest!

I Am A Little Tiger // C LOVES this book, and gets a giant smile on his face whenever he gets it in his grips. He loves 'reading' this book, and the title itself gets his immediate attention before he even looks at any of the pictures. This is part of the Little Barron series of books, and based on how much C likes this one and I Am A Big Dinosaur, we'll likely be collecting a few more before it's all said and done. The story within is unique and educational about a baby tiger growing up in the jungle, and how it will learn to hunt, swim, and be brave just like it's mother when it grows up. Such a great book for little boys!

Leaving On a Jet Plane...with a Baby...

Next week, we are leaving town for an early spring getaway to the sunshine state. In preparation for the trip, I put together some of the essentials we'll be taking with us to make flying with a kiddo in tow a little less stressful. We've successfully flown with C once before when he was just six months old, and now that he's a little older, I've added a few new items to our list that we'll be bringing along to test out.

Gap Plane Sleep Set // Hape Little Plane // Planes & The Little Airplane // pipSquigz // Sippy Cup // Enfamil Premium Infant Powder Formula Single Serve Packs // Munchkin Pacifier Wipes (Also used for bottles, toys, etc) // BOB Stroller Travel Bag // Britax Car Seat Travel Cart // JL Childress Gate Check Car Seat Bag // OXO travel spoon & roll-up bib

 It goes without saying that we'll obviously be bringing plenty of diapers, wipes, burp clothes, a few books, Sophie, a couple of toys, and an extra change of clothes for both C & I in case of any unforeseen accidents. To get C excited for our trip, I picked up a couple of new board books that are all about airplanes, a some special new airplane pajamas, and a toy airplane that he's been practicing zooming around all week. On recommendation from another new mama who has flown with a baby, I purchased pipSquigz to surprise C with a new toy to play with on the flight. They have suction cups on the end, can be stuck together or to the seat-back tray table, are made of soft silicone that can be chewed on, and can be banged around without making too much noise to annoy our fellow passengers. I'll also be bringing along a soft blanket to prop behind him for comfort when he needs to eat, or if he gets cold or decides to take a snooze.

As far as the gear we're going to be lugging along for the trip, we'll be taking C's new car seat (sadly, he outgrew the smaller, and easier to haul around infant car seat a couple of months ago), and the BOB which might be the only stroller around that can handle walks on the beach. To protect the BOB, this travel bag does a great job, and is made of high quality materials with rollers to make it easier to wheel around the airport - think suitcase for a stroller. Many airlines allow a car seat and stroller for free when traveling with a kiddo, so we'll be taking full advantage of taking our gear along on this trip rather than renting or buying things when we arrive. We used this car seat bag to protect C's car seat on our last trip, and while it's definitely not super high-quality or built to last, after lining it with some red duct tape to reinforce the seams, it will do the job of keeping the car seat clean and protected from the any dust or grease it might come into contact with while stowed below. To get the car seat from our vehicle, through security, and to our gate as painlessly as possible, I purchased this car seat travel cart to help make our time at the airport less stressful. It connects easily using the LATCH system, and doesn't require any screws or significant amount of time to set up. If we ever decided to travel without a stroller, or had another kiddo with us, C could sit in the car seat while it is attached to the travel cart. A note to any parents traveling with kiddos out there: While gate checking the stroller and car seat does mean a few more things to lug around, it also decreases the likelihood of damage to these items, and makes it quicker post-flight to get everything organized.

For our final destination, here are a few other items that we'll be packing or picking up upon arrival. I  can only imagine that stepping out into 80 degree weather after spending months in a frozen state will be quite the shock to C, and having these items along will hopefully make the transition a little smoother.

Swimways Baby Pool Float // Munchkin Inflatable Bath Tub // BOB Stroller // Baby Sunscreen // Rashguard // Swim Trunks // Fedora // Sunglasses // Sperrys // Stroller Fan // Pack'n'Play

This pool float was a hit on our last visit, and C thought it was an absolute blast to motorboat around the pool. As a bonus, it folds up and can be stowed away easily when not in use. The weather is supposed to be a little warmer on this trip, so we'll be bringing along a stroller fan to keep C from overheating, along with a new set of swim trunks, sunscreen, and rash guard to help protect his skin from the sun. We will likely be spending many hours in the pool or by the ocean, so we're going to need a bathtub to wash off the salty water, and the pack'n'play for a place to crash after playtime. C has nearly outgrown the pack'n'play, so I've been scouting new ideas for future getaways, and think this travel toddler bed may just have to go on the wish list. Also on the wish list...this adorable Sunny Life Beach Radio, this baby-sized Beach Tent, or maybe just this family-sized Beach Tent, and this water-resistant outdoor blanket for outside playtime and picnics.

Since C is under two years old, he can fly free - AWESOME - and will be sitting on either T or I's lap for the duration of the three hour flight. I'm secretly hoping that the plane won't be full, and we'll be able to have the entire row to ourselves so that C can have an empty seat to play, or maybe even bring the car-seat on with us instead of gate-checking. On our flight last November, C did great, and after takeoff and aquatinting himself with his new surroundings, he slept almost the full flight. I'm guessing the relative quiet and slight vibration of the airplane played a big part. Fingers are crossed that this flight will go just as smoothly! Wish us luck!

Eight & Nine Month Favorites

As we draw to the close of month nine, here is a selection of some of C's eight and nine month favorites. Obviously, he isn't reading a cookbook on his own just yet, but I can assure you that he has been thoroughly enjoying some of the recipes that have been coming from it. At his latest checkup, C went from somewhere in the mid 40% for weight at his six month check, to the mid 70% at nine months. Think he likes to eat much? Following mealtime, we are always sure to finish up with a good brush of his solitary tooth with the baby banana. Never to early to start good hygiene right?! I'm sure if it was up to T, he'd have learned to floss by now too!

Blocks // C can't seem to get enough of blocks! These Infantino Discover & Play Soft Blocks have been a huge favorite with their crinkles, rattles, ties and flaps. They've been a source of absolute fascination for at least these two months. C doesn't usually try to eat these blocks, so much as spend hours exploring the different textures, colors, patterns, and sounds. Another more recent favorite after C was officially nine months, are the B. One Two Squeeze Blocks. He enjoys chewing on these, helping us build up, then knocking over block towers, and dumping them from his dump truck. Keeping with the block theme, C recently had to opportunity to play with these Edushape Soft Blocks, and was completely fascinated. We may have a little builder on our hands!

Boogie Wipes // We made it until almost nine months without any sickness or colds in our house...which I mostly credit to all of the antibodies he was receiving from nursing and the fact that he does not attend daycare...that being said, now that he is teething and has completely switched to formula, 'boogies' have made an appearance, and aren't likely going to go anywhere until this cold weather disappears and he's got a full set of teeth. Enter the boogie wipe! Basically the best invention since sliced bread if you ask me. These nasal saline wipes do an excellent job of wiping away all types of boogies be they the wet runny kind, or the dry crusty variety.

Baby Banana Toothbrush // Now that C officially has a tooth, I picked up this little training toothbrush teether to get him used to the feel of bristles in his mouth. He loves to chew on this 'toothbrush' and it's the perfect size for gripping. It also comes in other designs if banana or the color yellow aren't your favorites!

NUBY 3 Stage Sippy Cup // After testing our way through a seemingly endless supply of sippy cups to find one that didn't leak all over, this cup is the only one to pass multiple tests. After C realized that using a sippy cup was not very difficult and offered immediate satisfaction from hunger, he hasn't looked back. The 8 oz. version is particularly easy for him to latch on to as the base of the sippy nipple is relatively wide. I also ordered a larger 10 oz. size version of this cup, but the base of the sippy is more the size of a traditional bottle nipple, and while it still works, it usually takes C about twice as long to figure out since he never took a bottle and is not used to the smaller sippy attachment.

B. Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube // This activity cube has provided C with endless hours of entertainment and wonder. Made from solid wood, this cube has been wonderful for giving C something to hold on to as he learned to sit and stand. Each side has a different 'activity', and the top has been a source of wonder for C who is working on standing and curious about everything.

Baby Einstein Discovering Music Table // This music table has been such fun. The removable legs are great for sitting-only babies, and when ready can be added to make it a fun table to practice standing or walking around. C enjoys playing the piano and hearing the different types of music from guitar to violin to drums. 

The Wholesome Baby Food Guide Cookbook // I posted a little about this in C's Nine Month Update, but can't stress enough what a wonderful resource this has been for all things baby food. Not only does it have a TON of great recipe ideas, but it also has a significant portion of the book dedicated to what foods are appropriate at each stage, nutritional information, myths in baby feeding, allergies and adverse reactions to watch for, sample feeding schedules, preparation, and storage tricks and techniques. If you are in the market for a baby food cookbook, this is it. There is also a website to go along with this book that has great info as well.

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair // C has recently discovered that if he kicks his legs enough, he can get the baby base he usually eats in to scoot across the counter...not exactly safe. When he is 'helping' me with dinner, he enjoys sitting in the high chair, and loves to scoot up to the table with T & I when we sit down to eat. I LOVE this high chair's minimalistic design and the fact that it is all wood. Blending seamlessly into the decor of our home without being an eyesore is a huge plus! It is a piece of art compared to the majority of high chairs out there! Since it's all solid surface, wiping it down after mealtime is a breeze. This high chair is also adjustable, so it will grow with C for many years (can support up to 300lbs!), and is compact so doesn't take up much space. It was a definite splurge item, but I would recommend wholeheartedly since it will no doubt be getting a ton of use over the years, and the quality is superb. Built to last for sure! There are many different colors options available if you have a different color in mind.

Six & Seven Month Favorites

At long last...our six and seven month favorites!

Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Booster Seat // This baby base is used on a daily basis in our home. It has better back and side support than a standard high chair, tray storage underneath, and has a removable seat insert so that it can grow with baby. It is portable and can also strap onto the top of a chair at the dinner table if you opted not to get a regular high chair.

BEABA Babycook Pro // I've had so much fun making fresh baby food for C, and this kitchen tool has made it so easy. It steams and purees food all in one utensil cutting down on extra dishes, and makes just the right amount to have some leftover to freeze. Did I mention it only takes about 10-20 minutes? Now that we are branching out from oatmeal and incorporating more fresh veggies and fruits, I've been enjoying perusing several baby food cookbooks for inspiration. No clear favorites yet, but I'll be sure to share what I think of them as I start making more interesting recipes than single ingredient purees.

NUK Mash & Serve Bowl // This little bowl has become a staple in our kitchen. Great for mashing bananas, avocados, you name it. The masher works infinitely better than a fork for getting the right consistency for a newly minted solid foods eater with no teeth. 

Fisher Price Rainforest Jumparoo // C LOVES to bounce around in the Jumparoo. It took a while for him to warm up to it and build up enough strength to be able to hold his head up for longer than five minutes, but now that he can, he thinks this toy is just about the greatest ever. It's so funny to watch him bouncing around. Pure joy!

Sophie The Giraffe // Yes, our kid has Sophie. One of T's patients so kindly asked 'Oh, your kid has Sophie, the $20 teether, too?' when T mentioned the toy by name after recognizing it in the grips of another babe in his office the other day. $20 aside, Sophie with her squeaks, chew-ability, and many angles for small hands and mouths to explore, has become a big time favorite in our house.  In my opinion, worth the whole $20 for how many hours it has occupied our little man. 

Skwish Stix Ball // This ball is all about discovery. It squishes, rattles, and rolls, and C gets a kick out of trying to throw it and figure out how the bungee cords work.

Sassy Baby Disposable Diaper Sacks // Now that we have firmly established three solid food meals a day, diaper changes have moved from what T & I termed the 'popcorn stink' of an exclusively breastfed-based diet to just plain awful smelling. These bags are scented like baby powder, and do a wonderful job of containing the stink without having to purchase that ugly diaper genie and storing dirty diapers for days and days before it gets full enough to empty. Diaper bag sized packages are also available.

Jellycat Cordy Roy Fox // At this age, many babies attach themselves to something that makes them feel secure. For many, that's a favorite blankie or baby doll. For our little guy, it may just be this adorable fox. He gets the biggest grin on his face and reaches for it immediately when he sees it coming. Since we don't let him sleep with blankets or stuffed animals in his crib yet, it's hard to know if this will become the item we can't leave the house without, but for now, it's on the favorites list.

Books // I'm not sure if C has specific favorites, but I can tell you that when he's in a chewing read-it-myself mode the Amazing Baby Feel & Learn book has occupied the need. This and his Jellycat Fishy Tails books have been favorites for reading on his own, while some of our favorite board books to read are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Pout Pout Fish, Little Blue Truck, We're Going On A Bear Hunt, Room On A Broom, Goodnight Moon and anything that has a good cadence. We added many new books to the library over the holidays, so it's been fun to discover some new stories and switch out some that we've memorized over the past several months.

Four & Five Month Favorites

As we head into our six month with baby (yikes!), I thought I'd share a list of favorites from the last two months. Without further adieu...our four and five month favorites.

Comotomo Silicon Baby Teether & Sassy Teething Tail Fish // Hand-eye coordination had a drastic improvement during months 4 and 5, and C has loved nothing more than having something to chew on now that he can find his mouth. After trying several different teethers, the Comotomo Silicon Baby Teether and Sassy Teething Tail Fish have been our favorites. Both are easy for baby to grab from all angles and bring directly to his mouth to chew on. They are both soft and have different textures to explore.

Footed Pajamas // With the cool down in temps lately, footed pjs are absolutely necessary. Offspring makes some that use a heavier weight cotton that work great for cooler temps, and hold up well with many washings. Bonus if you find some that are zippered instead of buttons!

ErgoBaby Carrier // We love the Ergo! After baby hit that four month mark, he was too heavy to wear in the K'tan for extended lengths of time, but the Ergo has a lot more structure and better weight distribution with padded shoulder straps to help save mama's back. C goes in the Ergo on grocery shopping trips, football games, when I'm making dinner, and everything in between. The fabric melds to baby's body, and cocoons him against me...perfect for little snuggle monsters! The Ergo can be worn on the front, side, or back, and is made for kids from 7-45lbs. The recently released Ergo360 allows baby to also be worn forward facing.

Oatmeal // Around the 5 month mark, we started giving C oatmeal. While he wasn't acting any more hungry than usual (a sign it's time to introduce solids), our Doctor recommended starting him on oatmeal since recent studies have shown decreased likelihood of allergies the sooner solid foods are introduced. While T isn't fully on board with that thought, after seeing our little guy smack his lips and watch us like a hawk at dinner night after night, we thought why not? Ever since, C has been loving his oatmeal. We've tried both the All Natural Beechnut and Organic Gerber brands, and don't think it seems to matter which one. I usually choose whatever has the least amount of ingredients. Oatmeal is oatmeal is oatmeal. There is no reason to have a bunch of extra additives. As for the whole rice vs. oatmeal dilemma, I never even considered giving C rice cereal. I pretty much viewed it as worthless for its extreme lack of nutrition and flavor, so after our Doctor gave the OK for skipping over rice cereal straight to oatmeal, we were all hands in.

Prune Juice // Since the introduction of oatmeal, our little man has been seriously backed up if you know what I mean. Prune juice to the rescue. Strangely enough, he seems to like the oatmeal even more with the addition of prune juice. Win win. Check the baby food aisle for smaller portion sizes of prune juice before you resort to the expensive giant jug that you'll only use a few tablespoons from.

BabyBjorne Soft Bibs // After a couple weekes of cloth bibs, and endless laundry, I discovered these soft plastic bibs, and I haven't looked back. Cloth bibs are great for liquid only diet, but with the introduction of oatmeal, these plastic bibs are so nice and keep cleanup quick and easy.

Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion // Due to all of the drooling around here, a daily moisturizer has been key to help prevent dried skin. Depending how dry things get, we use Aveeno or Aquaphor around baby's nose and chin on a regular basis.

Fleece Bunting & Stocking Hat // A warm fleece bunting is a must for chilly days. There are many different styles and brands to choose from - Carters, Columbia, Patagonia, etc. I plan to use ours during the winter as well so that I don't have to worry as much about baby overheating in a big snowsuit when we're on longer road trips.

  

New Mama Favorites

Happy Monday all! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. We spent most of ours hanging out by the lake and playing with our littlest family member. As a highlight, we even ventured out for an early dinner date night with baby on Friday when T got home from work. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we aren't the only ones who had the idea to bring baby along. There were no less than three other couples dining out with babies at one of the nicer restaurants in our little corner of the world. There's no reason we should have to pass up date night and the nicer restaurants when we have a little one in tow right?!? C behaved like an angel, in case you were wondering, and T & I enjoyed a nice evening out capped off by a sunset boat ride. Perfecto!

In other news, I thought I'd put together a list of some New Mama Favorites for any of my followers out there that might be expecting. Not pictured, but equally important, are the helping hands of family and friends that have helped to make our transition into parenthood a little easier (i.e. those of you who brought us meals, or squeezed a few hours out of your day to come sit with C so this mama could find time for some essentials like taking a shower, getting groceries, or a trip to the hairdresser --- BIG THANKS!).

Nursing Bras & Pajamas // If you are nursing, get yourself to Target. Gillian O'Malley has a great line of nursing bras that offer some actual support...as opposed to those seamless styles that have minimal support. Great for sleeping, but not so great for daytime support unless you are small chested. Motherhood Maternity has some great nursing-friendly PJs that have a shelf-bra style for support while sleeping, and an easy snap down front that doesn't require much extra thought or manuevering while you are half asleep. Very important for those middle of the night feedings if you are a nursing mama!

Dry Fit Workout Tops // It's the middle of summer here, and dryfit T's have been a major staple in my weekday attire. Not only are they nice and cool, they are stretchy, come in lots of styles that aren't super form fitting, and are easy to wipe away baby spit up or slobber. Pair them with some yoga pants or workout shorts, and you have yourself an easy go-to new-mama uniform. One of my favorite budget-friendly styles is currently on sale HERE.

Water bottle // Staying hydrated is key. Increase that 8 cups of water per day to 10 cups if you are nursing. Having a refillable water bottle on hand is a great way to make sure you aren't getting dehydrated, not to mention easy to grab and go without filling up your trash or recycling with disposable water bottles.

Athletic Shoes // Now that it's possible to reach your feet again, a new pair of athletic shoes are just the thing to help get your workouts back on track.

Nursing Cover // Udder cover, hooter hider...call it what you will. If you are a nursing mama, you'll eventually find yourself in a situation where this will come in handy.

Healthy Snack Food // I'm a fan of hummus with pretzel chips, bananas, grapes, apples, and lightly salted almonds. Having something quick and easy you can grab out of the fridge or pantry when baby is fussing is a must. Bonus points for anything you can eat with just one hand.

Postpartum & Nursing Friendly Clothing // While I knew I would need a few items that would be post-baby, pre-losing-the-pregnancy-weight friendly, I greatly underestimated the need for nursing friendly clothing. Naively, I assumed I could easily get by with my collection of breezy summer dresses. After baby actually arrived, my plan to wear those cute T-shirt and halter style dresses went right out the window. Unless you plan to completely undress every couple hours to feed your babe (or are using formula), you're going to need plenty of sleeveless options that you can easily pull down the straps. Enter Old Navy. They offer some super cute and affordable options that work great for the postpartum and nursing mamas out there. I'm not just talking about dresses either. They have some great drawstring linen shorts that have been another staple in my summer mix when paired with a lightweight breezy top. Believe me, nothing makes a postpartum mama feel worse about herself than clingy tops and unforgiving waistbands. If only we could wear maternity leggings forever with their nice full panel waists to smooth out all those bumps...There are Spanx available to do the job too, but during the summer, who wants to wear an extra layer when it's already super warm out?!

Tablet/Smartphone or Book/Magazine // You are going to be spending a great deal of time sitting and rocking/feeding/calming baby. In the meantime, it's nice to have access to technology to keep up to date with emails and current events, or a chance to read a book or magazine. I signed up for a daily current events email (the Skimm) so I can keep in touch with what is going on in the world when I don't have the time to surf multiple news sites. I can't say enough positive things about this...trust me. I've also been enjoying Parents magazine, and reading books or articles aloud to my babe so that he gets comfortable with my non-baby-talk voice, and has a chance to hear a larger vocabulary of words besides my telling him how cute and snugly he is. Even though he is...

Slow Cooker, Freezer, or Grilling Meals // Gone are the days of gourmet meals that take more than a half hour to prepare. If you have freezer space, stock up on some favorites to get you through the first couple of months. Perfect a few easy slow cooker recipes (like Pesto Ranch Chicken or Hot Italian Drip Beef), and inform your significant other that they need to step up the grilling skills. Salad and steamed or grilled veggies are a super quick and easy side. For the nights that you just can't cram in preparing a meal, stock up on some takeout menus to have on hand in a pinch!

What are some of your new mama favorites?

Two & Three Month Favorites

Months two and three flew by before we knew it! Now that we're drawing to the close of baby's third month with us, what better way to reminisce than to put together a collection of favorites.

Triple Paste Diaper Cream // Everyone has their favorite. So far, Triple Paste has done the trick for us. We have only had to use this a handful of times, so I would recommend just getting a small tube in case your babe doesn't end up needing it very often.

NoseFrida // The best snot sucker around. Don't be scared about the fact that you are using your own mouth to get rid of those baby boogers. There is a filter, and unless your baby has the world's longest booger, anything you suck out wouldn't even come close. If it does, there are replacement filters available. Another great feature? The clear plastic reservoir can be cleaned in about 10 seconds by running it under some hot water. No moldy nose aspirators here!

Tiny Love Activity Mat // I'm sure any activity mat would do the trick. The Tiny Love mat has some nice crinkle, squeak, and sound sections on the mat itself rather than just on the hanging toys. The best part, there are extra spots for any additional toys you may want to customize with.

OBall Rattle // These little toy balls are so much fun. Because of all the holes, they are especially easy for baby to grasp. 

Baby K'Tan Infant Carrier //  This baby sling has been a lifesaver. It is super quick and easy to use, and helps calm baby down when nothing else works. C loves to be all snuggled up, and using the Baby K'Tan means I can keep him all snuggled like he likes while having both hands available to accomplish other tasks.

Overton's Infant Vest // Our little guy's second and third month were during the height of the boating season here in Northwest Iowa, and we couldn't imagine a summer without spending time on the lake. After reading what seems like hundreds of reviews, we settled on this miniature lifejacket from Overton's approved for infants 0-30lbs. All of the padding is on the front and around the head, so if for some reason baby was to go in the water, this vest would immediately flip baby around to the face up position.

Infantino Lovable Linking Jittery Fish // This jittery fish has been a source of fascination this month. It has black and white cloth 'scales' on one side, and crazy colorful scales with ribbons on the other. I hung it from the car seat handle, and C is consumed with trying to figure it out when we load him up for a stroller or car ride. So many fun colors, textures, and patterns to take in!

Fishy Tails by Jellycat // This cloth book by Jellycat is one of our favorites. The bright colors fascinate baby, and the different textures and 'tails' are so much fun to learn about. We gifted this one to our nephew who is two months older, and he loves it just as much. Speaking of Jellycat, they also make adorable stuffed animals. T is so impressed that he has even requested one for his birthday...kid at heart? I'm not really into stuffed animals since they just add unnecessary clutter, but I'm not entirely opposed to allowing a couple of these into our home. My favorites are Cordy Roy Fox (who may or may not have arrived on our doorstep this week) and Tiggalope Black Sheep.

Backseat Mirror // Now that baby has graduated from eating every two hours and is a little older, we've had the opportunity to venture further distances from home (Our max is 1.75 hours, so not too far yet). This backseat mirror has been an excellent addition to our vehicle. It makes checking on baby such a breeze, and allows us to keep an eye on him without having to pull over and get out of the car. Also a bonus, now that C has started to discover himself in the mirror, this helps to keep him entertained while on road trips.

What are your two and three month favorites?

Month One Favorites

After surviving our first month of parenthood (whew!), I thought it might be helpful to all of you future and new parents, or friends and family who are just looking to spoil a new little addition, to share my list of must-haves for baby's first month. Obviously, everyone has their own favorites, but these are a few that we wouldn't be able to get by without. Enjoy!

Boppy Nursing Pillow // I'm not sure how nursing mothers used to get by without this awesome pillow. A back saver for sure! An extra shopping tip: There are all kinds of fun nursing pillow covers to peruse on Etsy, so don't think you are limited to the two options carried in stores.

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets and Burp Cloths // Soft, breathable, absorbant, and lightweight for summer. A little spendy, but well worth it. We use these on a daily basis.

Fisher-Price Rock'N'Play // This is one of the few 'baby gear' items that T & I knew we wanted before Baby C's arrival. He loves to sleep or sit in the Rock'N'Play during the day after eating (it has a slight incline that helps to prevent spitting up after eating), or when I need to get some work done around the house, and he doesn't want to lay flat on his back. There are many different designs available depending on where you shop.

Pampers Swaddlers Diapers & Pampers Sensitive Wipes // I did a lot of reading on other 'Mom' blogs before Baby C's arrival, and these diapers and wipes were far and away the favorite of other moms for newborns. While I haven't tried any other brand of diapers yet, I will vouch for the wipes. They are infinitely softer than the other popular baby brand Huggies. In case you are trying to plan ahead and stock up for your own baby's arrival, we have averaged about 60 diapers a week in baby's first month.

Aquaphor, Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder, Medela Nipple Cream // Some of the essentials that I wasn't prepared with, but needed during that first week. Baby C started peeling skin after his first bath at home...like full body getting new skin. I had Aveeno Baby Lotion all ready to go, but it just wasn't getting the job done (works great now that C's a little older). Aquaphor to the rescue! A definite must have for new baby skin. Baby Powder. This would probably be an obvious must have to a second time parent, but for me, not so much. As I mentioned earlier, we burn through about 60 diapers a week. That's a lot of wiping, and wet baby tush. The baby powder helps to dry out the moisture left behind from wiping, and helps prevent baby's bottom from sticking to the diaper. Medela Nipple Cream. Confession - this was NOT in my hospital bag, and definitely needed to be (thank you nurses for bringing me a sample!). The first several days of breastfeeding was hard enough before my milk 'came in' as they say. This cream helped to provide some relief until my body adjusted. NOTE: I did have the Lansinoh brand nipple cream all ready to go at home. After trying both brands, I prefer the Medela brand as it has a more 'lotion-like' consistency that is easy to wipe away, while the Lansinoh brand is more like a paste and leaves a sticky residue behind that is hard to wipe off your hands after applying.

Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat and Sun & Bug Cover // We chose this Britax car seat after reading many reviews and hearing from other parents how much they prefer the Britax car seats over other brands. As a bonus, there is a attachment available so we can use this car seat with our stroller. The Sun/Bug/(Stranger) cover has been a lifesaver. No mayflies or Mosquitos can get through to our baby! It's made from a breathable mesh, and fits perfectly over our car seat when out for walks, or around strangers we don't want touching the baby. 

Halo SleepSacks & Longsleeve Onesies // With all the information out there about the risk of SIDS when sleeping with a blanket, the sleep sack is a great alternative that keeps baby all snugly and warm, but still let's him kick his feet around. We pair the sleep sack with a longsleeve onesie at night to keep Baby C's arms and hands (which he likes to bust out of the swaddle) warm in this air conditioned summer.

Gerber Flatfold Cloth Diapers // No, I'm not so granola that I'm using cloth diapers. Contrarily, I am using these for just about everything else. Nursing pillow spill catcher, changing pad liner, extra burp cloth...there are no limits to my imagination.

BOB Revolution Stroller // This baby is the best of the best when it comes to strolling. A splurge, yes. Made to last, most definitely. The large jogging bike-style wheels make the ride super smooth, not to mention opening up the option to explore all kinds of terrains. A tip: I was able to get this stroller in a bundle package with the car seat and stroller adaptor via Amazon for MUCH more reasonable than some other popular baby stores had it listed. Lesson: Look in person, but price check online before buying those big ticket items in store. Our savings are in the hundreds.

I'd love to hear what your favorites are!