My Baby Gear Must-Haves

Over the past year I have been asked what my favorite baby products are.  When I was pregnant with E, I also went to friends & asked the same question to help get an idea of what I'd need for babycakes.

 

 

Of course each baby is different, and each momma is different, but here are some of my favorites (in no particular order) from the first 10 months of life with E. 

 

 

 

 

1. Jogging Stroller- Not only is it a great motivator to get out & shed some of those pregnancy pounds, but they are so great for family outings :)  We have a Schwinn Turismo & although it's not build for a marathoner, it has been a GREAT jogging stroller & very safe & budget friendly too!

 

2. Brica Fold N' Go Bassinet-  It may sound weird, but this is what we used for E when he was an infant, sleeping in our room.  We have a TINY room & really did not have the extra room for a bassinet, nor did we want to spend the extra $$ on it, so we went with this very affordable portable one & loved it!  We took it on trips with us, took it over to friend's houses for him to nap in, carted it around the house. I love practical, packable things.  Not to mention, now that it's in storage, it hardly takes up any room at all. Love it.

 

3. Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs.  Burp Cloth + Bib in one.  Genius.  E could spit up with the best of 'em & these were a life saver...or at least a shirt saver. They are so absorbent & when using as a bib it has SO much coverage. 

 

4. Zipper Footed PJs.  My husband would call these a necessity.  And since he is in charge of the bedtime routine, I will trust his judgement on this one.  Most babies don't like to be changed & every saved second is gold. Zippers are so much more parent friendly than snaps.

 

5. Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat.  Well a car seat is a must-have. Period. But we loved our Chicco & safety ratings love it too!  I have found it to be a really good car seat for long babies as well as chubby ones.  Although getting snug, E can still fit into his at 10 months. 

 

6. Baby Carrier.  I am a huge fan of baby wearing & if you start your babe of early they will be too :)  It makes outings, grocery shopping, travel, even household chores so much easier, especially in the infant stage.  When E was a tiny little guy I used a ring sling & the Baby K'tan Breeze (great for summer babies!) But the Ergo has been our go-to carrier since he has packed on the pounds & it's SO supportive to my back. He was never carried front facing pre-Ergo so he doesn't mind one bit to be carried facing me & apparently it's more ergonomically benefecial for them? So that's a plus. It can also be used as a back pack or hip carrier as well...so, you've got options.

 

7. Munchkin Inflatable Safety Duck.  A hilariously entertaining addition to bath time.  As soon as E could sit up we introduced this guy & he LOVES it.  We also don't have to worry about him tipping over or slipping in the tub because he has a cushy little duck to topple onto.  It's wonderful and genius.  Pre-duck, we used the PUJ and really enjoyed its portability & compactabilty, not to mention that you can use it in the sink, rather than kneeling over a tub. 

 

8. Aden + Anais Swaddle blankets.  I never thought I'd spend that much on blankets, but they are so worth it.  Especially for summer babies.  These blankets are huge, making them easy to fold for swaddling (which was a miracle worker in our house) & also make a great light weight blanket or sunshade in the car or stroller. Breathable, soft, cute designs. We love them.

 

9. SwaddleMe Swaddlers. For when they learn to bust out of the blankets, velcro swaddlers keep the magic going. 

 

 

Not pictured but also noteworthy:

 

Sophie la Giraffe teething ring (E's favorite!), Avent Soothie Pacifier, Nursing covers, Dr. Brown Bottles, Baby Comfy Nose or Nosefrida, Natrabio teething drops, Munchkin Snack Catchers & the Little Green Reusable Food Pouch.

 

 

 

 

10 months old!

I know I say it every month, but seriously, where is the time going?  Am I really already thinking about this little guy's first birthday party plans?  Yeesh!

 

 

Your 9th month of life was a really exciting & fun one for us, and I think for you as well!

 

 

Last month you were just starting to pull up & this past month you not only pull up onto every furniture item or toy you can get your hands on, but you are also cruising around like a champ! 

 

You move from furniture piece to furniture piece & even started walking your push toy all by yourself! Mom & Dad are thinking walking is not too far off & oh boy, I'm not sure if we are ready for that.

 

You have become somewhat mischevious curious this month.  Your favorite things to explore are Bob's water bowl & the dishwasher.  Your radar goes off when either the dishwasher is open or Bob's bowl is freshly filled and it's a mad dash to play with them before mom can catch you :)

 

You also like to close doors, which (so far) you much prefer to opening them.  Way to help a mama out. 

 

You still love bananas, but avocados are making their way to the #1 position in your palate.

 

You babble all the time & direct more & more of your words to their proper person/dog.

 

You love to pet Bob, but sometimes it ends in hair pulling, so we are working on that one.

 

Much to you mama's dismay/delirium, you've decided to start waking up again multiple times a night...growth spurt, perhaps? 

 

 

We love you to pieces though & I keep reminding myself in those wee hours of the night of truly what a precious gift it is to be your mama-the one who gets up when you cry & soothes you back to sleep.  I know it won't always be this way, so I'll treasure it for now.

 



Signs of Spring?

I gotta take what I can get right now.  Yesterday was the first day of Spring, but the midwest did not get that memo.  Meanwhile, in Texas they have already skipped ahead to summer.  So I suppose I'd rather work on my patience & wait for the spring to come.  One thing I love about this area of the country is that there is an entire season devoted to Springtime weather & highs of 70.  It just hasn't quite arrived yet.  Winter is digging it's heels into the ground & just doesn't want to leave!

 

We are doing our best around the Carter house to make believe that Spring is here & celebrate new life.  Winter's death is slowly giving way to new life.  Isn't it lovely that Easter is in the Spring?  Life from Death is what we celebrate this time of year.

 

 

table centerpiece

seeds sprouting.  hopes of a garden to come :)

 

 

the framework for my spring wreath...it needs something else, I'm just not sure what...thoughts?

 

Someone was really wanting to splash around in the water yesterday, he kept going for Bob's water bowl.  It was too cold to go outside, so we brought the fun inside.  Given the state of his apparel, I think he had a good time :)

 

 



Lately

 

 

Things at our house are hum-drum and wonderfully ordinary.  We wake up, eat, drink coffee (well at least mom & dad do), play, nap (although, someone appears to think naps are overrated these days), sew, run errands, get creative with dinner, play, eat & read, bathe & go to bed.

 

There are other little things mixed into that schedule, of course as well, but all in all this seems to be how many of our days take shape and I love it! 

 

I managed to snap a few images of bob & ephram playing with bob's duck this morning.  E love his buddy bob :)  I love watching him grow & interact & develop his personality more & more.

 

Oh & did I mention that little man is on the move?  It's quite exciting and keep this mommy on her toes.

 

Thankfully, one of his favorite things to do is to crawl to wherever I am so that definitely keeps the question of "where did Ephram go?" down to a minimum.

 



We've also had lots of snow lately & though it is finally starting to melt off, we have a long way to go.  I think we got about 20" in the span of 5 days!  Brrrrrr....

 

B even had to walk to work on two different occasions.

 



Bob didn't seem to mind all the snow though.  I think he discovered his roots this past month :)