aden + anais

So, this weekend was another weekend of baby talk with my chickies, and I even found out about another little one who will be entering the world next year, so my brain is back to shower gift ideas.

A good friend of mine introduced me to aden + anais and their cotton muslin products when I was pregnant with Bean and since then I have seen and heard about their products EVERYwhere!  They have quickly become an obsession of mine, and it seems like it has hit Hollywood too.  Check out these hottie's and their babes snuggled up with their aden + anais swaddlers and blankies.

So, other than their obvious trend appeal, why should you try these? 

Well, first, the material is amazing.  Super soft, breathable, and gets better with every wash (which obviously is important with little ones...trust me...1 kid and my laundry doubled.  2 kids and it quadrupled.  Not sure how that works, but it's true!).  The swaddles are also very large which makes the actual swaddling process soooo much easier!  And of course, the research that says swaddling can help prevent SIDS and help your baby sleep better are HUGE reasons to try it with your baby.

Second, the designs are to die for. 

 

Whether you go with the original swaddle, like this four pack of baby cakes swaddles...

 

Or you prefer the organic cotton swaddle ...

You really can't go wrong.  

Plus, aden + anais, is way more than just a swaddle company.  They also have other fantastic products like the burpy bibs that I couldn't live without.  This burp cloth easily converts to a bib with a little snap closure, and protects your baby's clothes sooooo much better than a traditional bib.  And of course, the fact that it is soft and made from 100% cotton muslin doesn't hurt either.  Like I said, I didn't know about this company until right before I had Bean, but if I had known with P, I would have totally stocked up on this prince charming design. 

A-dorable!! 

Or these issie security blankets.  They conveniently come in a pack of two so that you have an extra for when one is in the wash, or heaven forbid, you lose one.  I still have these on Bean's wish list...perhaps Santa will stick some in her stocking...

And maybe a coordinating dream blanket will be under the tree :)  (Santa, are you reading??)



So, if you are expecting a baby gift from me in the near future, you may be receiving some of these amazing products.  And if you are expecting a baby in the near future, be sure to add some of aden + anais goodies to your registry.  They even have a line at Target now...could you ask for anything more?! ;)

The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift

So many of my friends are either pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or have just had babies, that I have spent a LOT of time lately thinking about the ultimate shower gift.  I am trying to come up with a list of the best things that I had as a new mommy so that I can compile a basket of "must-haves" for my besties.  I'm talking about the small items that no one remembers to get or that they pass over on the registry because they are not that expensive.  These are things I like the best!  I am a fan of the overflowing basket of necessities!

I seriously stay awake at night thinking about this.  I know.  I'm nuts.  But that's okay...I'm usually up anyway, waiting for one child or the other to come into our bed. :/

So, here are a few of the items on my list.

1.  MAM Pacifiers.  (A MUST!  They are the only pacis my kids like...you can  check out my post on them here.)

2.  Boogie Wipes.  (Preferably in the grape scent.  Think purple Bubblicious circa. 1990.  These wipes easily get rid of those lovely green crusties that appear on our babies little noses when cold season arrives...and they don't receive nearly as many complaints as a typical wipe or tissue thanks to the saline in them!)

3.  Medella Quick Clean Micro Steam Bags.  (I'm not sure what I would have done without these bags at 2 am when I needed to sanitize pump parts or pacifiers.  They make life soooo easy and only cost about $5 for 5 bags/100 cleans.  Well worth it!  My SIL gave me a whole bunch of these at my shower for Bean and I am still using them!)



4.  A Skip Hop Diaper Bag.  (The perfect packaging for all the goodies you want to gift!  I personally have the Skip Hop Duo Double Bag, which fits on my double stroller like a dream, but I am also a huge fan of their new designs for their smaller bags.  I think these all deserve their own post but here is a preview...)

ooooo, pretty!

5.  Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads.  (Whether or not a new mommy plans to nurse, it is inevitable that they will need to use these at some point.  This brand is unbelievably comfortable and super absorbent.  Having these on hand is a huge help when you wake up in the middle of the night.  Soaked.)

 

These are just a few of the things on my shower shopping list.  I will share more soon, but in the meantime, what things have you purchased/received for a precious little one that you couldn't live without out??  Comment and let me know!  I've probably forgotten some really important ones and could use the input!