Favorite Baby Things

LOL... not sure why I didn't post this draft a while back when I typed it up.


I have been wanting to post my favorite baby things after finding other's helpful...  I finally did it. =)  In no particular order:

• Bopp.y Pillow: was a lifesaver when you have a baby with reflux.  We used it to prop her up after feedings and to sleep in during the day (with supervision). 

• Soph,ie the Giraffe:  This teether is by far Sydney's favorite.  It stays in the car and she just chews and squeaks away while we are driving.  She could hold and chew this one way before any others because of the convenient easy to hold shape.

• Summ.er Best View video monitor:  I was given this video monitor as a baby shower gift from my mother-in-law. (After asking for this particular one after reading all the reviews)  Of all things on this list, it is pretty close to my first favorite!  I LOVE watching her in her crib when she is playing and not going to sleep like she should.  HA!  It is so helpful to know why she is crying (i.e. lost paci or bumped head or stuck leg) without going in.  Or if she is just fussing because she is finally drifting off to sleep...  I get to watch her practice crawling or pulling up.  I also can spot a lost pacifier on the monitor better than feeling for it in the dark!  I know it is really going to come in handy later when she is a toddler in her toddler bed.  I can then make sure she is not getting into trouble in her room! =P

• Bumge.nius 4.0 snap diapers:  My favorite of all the cloth diapers we have tried.  So glad I decided to cloth diaper.

• Thermo Cafe thermos:  Weird thing to put up, but it has been the best purchase for making formula, especially since my girl still drinks about 6-7 bottles a day.  Just heat up lots of filtered water to the perfect temp twice a day.  Then just measure water in bottle, dump in powder, and shake.  It has been so useful since she used to like her bottles on the warmer side.  I didn't have a bottle warmer, but this is faster any way, and oh so easy in the middle of the night!!  I use my tiny milk tubes with screw tops from the hospital pumping to pre-measure my powder out.  Perfect size for 6 oz. of powder.  

• Earth Ma.ma Baby Botto,m Balm:  Best diaper rash cream ever!  I started using it because it is safe for cloth diapers and had rave reviews.  Now I know why!  Clears up rashes and yeast fast!  And it is all natural, can't beat that.  She used to have a lot of acid poops from her reflux and it burned her bottom a lot.  I really think using this (in combination with GSE) while I was breastfeeding is what finally cleared me up from the thrush...

• D,ex baby sleep sounds:  Great noise machine!  Covers up house and road noise to keep her asleep. =)  Calmed her down when she was colicky one newborn night, and we have used it ever since. =)

• Glo.wworm:  One of her favorite toys that was a gift from a baby shower.  That light and music will bring a smile to her face no matter what!  

• Am.ber teething necklace:  Wearing one really does seem to help her.  I used to be a skeptic when my friend would put one on her girls... you change your mind about a lot of things when you become a mom! =)

• Leg warmers:  Baby Legs, Little Legs, whatever you want to call them.  I have some of the cheap eb.ay versions, too.  I just love being able to just add some warmth to a summery outfit in the morning and then peel them off later when she is warm.  Awesome for easy diaper changes.  They make simple tights for dresses, too.  I love that she doesn't really outgrow them, either.

• Itzbee.n timer: This was rather useful in the beginning when you are quite groggy and running on "fumes" in the newborn stages.  I loved the nightlight feature.  I also loved not having to remember the last time her feeding or diaper change, etc.  I am horrible at remembering numbers...  It helped me realize, hey you are fussy because, wow, it is time to eat again.  Or you and I just slept for four hours! =)  I am so glad those days are over.

• Car.ter's flannel bassinet pads:  A lifesaver when she was sleeping with us in our bed.  Held all the spit ups, drool, and leaky overnight diapers and kept it off our sheets.

• Mob.y, mei tie, and Er.go baby carriers:  Probably my favorite things!  I love wearing Sydney in my baby carriers and she loves it, too.  It has been a lifesaver out grocery shopping because she never liked being in the stroller/car seat for more than 10 mins or so.  When she was younger she would just go to sleep in it and take a nap.  Now it just keeps her content because I am "holding her".  I use it for walks, traveling, vacuuming (she used to hate the noise), etc.  I started out using the Mob.y when she was a newborn.  It was a little on the warm side in the summer, but comfy.  I then used my mei tie my friend gave me as a gift after she was done with it from her babies.  It was a WAHM custom version... very comfy and cute, but still annoying with the long straps and tying.  I then just recently got the Er.go.  The BEST one ever!  Very easy and comfy, but also versatile.  My hubby actually did wear the flowery mei tie before we got the Er.go, but wished it wasn't girly.  Now I know that the Er.go will be put to good use for many years with hikes, etc. because Daddy can wear her, too. (I got a neutral one).

• Nin.ja Blender:  Got this before Sydney because I hate traditional blenders and unscrewing the bottom, etc.  Loved it and it worked awesome for smoothies, chopping, etc.  Now that I am making baby food, I love it even more!  Works great, and then just freeze ice cubes of her food.  She hasn't really liked purees much, but will always eat oatmeal.  So there is always a cube of veggies or fruit "hidden" in her oatmeal.  Hee hee!

• BO.B running stroller:  Borrowing this from my sister-in-law for running.  It works great!  Sydney just loves being outside no matter the venue.  She looks at me funny when I am breathing hard, though. =)

• Consignment shops for clothes, shoes, and sheets, etc.:  I am a big children's consignment shopper!  I love finding a good deal and you can't beat getting kid stuff for cheap.  It is usually only used for such a short time anyway, so I mostly find great condition stuff.  I love the quality of name brands, but love paying minimal prices!  It has been a money saver with our growing like a weed child, who has been through more wardrobes in her lifetime than I have in my adult life!  HA!  The down side... when you can't find quality walking shoes to fit her tiny feet.  She is still a size 2 or 0-6 months.  I had to break down and buy some for more than I am used to paying.  I still found some online half price, but hated that they weren't like $2 to $5. =P

• Bab.y Signin.g Time!:  Awesome videos and music.  Sydney loves these videos, and I love that she is learning names of things as well as signs to be able to communicate with me.  She just absorbs everything like a sponge.