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!

CozyPlush Follow Up

I still love our new CozyPlushes, and so do the kids.

I wish I could tell you that the CozyPlush solved all of Bean's sleep issues, but sadly it did not.  What it did do was give both of my kids new lovies that do help soothe and calm them.  I would definitely say that Bean's little lamb has also made it easier to put her down in her crib for bedtime without much fussing.

Both kiddies now sleep with their lavender lovies for naps and bedtime, and P won't even get in bed without his puppy.  Check them out napping in my bed with their new pals...

And here is P sound asleep in his bed cuddling his Puppy who he has named after himself ;)

We haven't had too many opportunities to heat the plushes up because of the oppressive summer heat, but on this particular night it was a bit chilly, so P requested we heat up P Puppy.  He loved it!  I think that is going to be a huge bonus in the fall/winter.

Although Bean is still not sleeping through the night, I think I need to get over the idea that there is some miracle cure out there, and instead work on some sleep training. :/  All in all, I am still sooooo glad that we got these, and they are definitely being added to my must buy list for baby showers and first birthdays!

Glamourmom

I am a breastfeeding mom.  I nursed P until he was almost 18 months old, and I am still nursing Bean.  This is NOT a post to lecture anyone about the pros and cons of breastfeeding, nor do I cast judgement on moms who can't/don't want to breastfeed.  I strongly feel that breastfeeding is a personal choice.

That being said, this IS a post about an amazing product that I just tried out, that I want to share with those of you who are breastfeeding, are thinking about breastfeeding, or need a gift for a mama who falls into one of those categories ;)

I came home to a package Thursday night containing a Glamourmom nursing tank.  Specifically the "Nursing Bra Full Bust Long Tank" in black.

It was love at first sight <3.  First of all, don't you just adore the company name?!?  Who wouldn't want to consider themselves a GlamourMom?!?  Between the rouched top, the long legnth, and the mesh inside the bra to help the girls breathe, I couldn't wait to try the tank on!  I was not dissapoited.  It was extremely comfortable and supportive, and it looked cute!  I felt like I could wear it out with a pair of leggings or jeans, and no one would know that I wasn't wearing a traditional bra.  And so I did...I ran my errands wearing it, and was so comfy that I litterally forgot that I wasn't wearing a bra.  I actually paused in the car when I realized this, momentarily freaking out that I had left the house without one...(I have done this before...on the way to an interview, none the less.  True story...for another time!)  Then I smiled and realized that I was all set with my Glamourmom tank :) 

I have now worn, washed, slept, and gone out in my tank and I am thrilled at the quality of it. My only suggestion when you buy one is to buy up a size or two, depending on your body shape.  I have a particularly wide rib cage, so I don't like the way it feels to have something tight around that area.  The bra clasp in the tank is adjustable, but even on the largest setting I wasn't all that comfy, even though I ordered up a size.  I did however wear it out and about with the clasp undone and I still was very supported and you couldn't tell from the back that it wasn't clasped.

Not only does Glamourmom sell amazing tank tops, they also sell a huge collection of maternity and post-partum clothes for nursing, and non-nursing moms that offer tummy support, soft Pima cotton material, cool patterns and pretty lace detail.

As for me, as soon as I am back to working, I am going to treat myself to the Nursing Bra Nightgown...

and the Nursing Bra Tankini Swimsuit...

I mean, really??  Why haven't I ever seen a nursing bathing suit??  It's brilliant!  I hate having to whip 'em out at the beach or the pool.  I would LOVE a little privacy!  I can't bring myself to put Bean's little head under one of those hot and stuffy nursing covers at the beach.  Poor thing!  She would be miserable!

Anyway, check out the Glamourmom website here and you can enter to win $100 worth of Glamourmom products!  Enjoy my fellow glamourous mommies! :)

Germs and Antibodies

Before I had kids I was one of "those" people.  I told anyone who would listen how my kids would never watch television, never eat fast food, never have sugar, would only eat organic, wouldn't whine or throw tantrums in public, wouldn't be coerced into doing something by bribery, etc.

I lied. 

About it all.

But, now I finally have proof, that despite all my "wrong doings" there has been some good gained.

My kids watch television.  Every morning, while I make breakfast, have a cup of coffee, feed the pets, load the dishwasher, and so on, my kids sit in the living room and watch tv.  I do monitor what they watch very closely.  There is no Sponge Bob allowed in my house, or anything like him.  We are strictly a PBS, Disney Channel, Sprout type of family, and once in a while some Nick Jr., but even on those channels, I make sure that what they are watching is appropriate.

Anyway, one of the shows that P loves is Sid the Science Kid on PBS.  He watches it all the time, and I love the vocabulary that he learns, the jokes they tell, and the songs they sing.  (Especially the one that says "I love my mom, my mom is cool!" ;) )  It is a show about scientific exploration.  Now, I know that P remembers almost everything I tell him, but I wasn't aware of just how much he picked up from the television until this happened as I was listening to him and his Best Buddy play.

P:  Let's play superheroes!
BB:  Okay, I'll be Superman!
P:  No, you be a germ and I'll be an antibody!

Me:  Did you just say antibody?!?
P:  Yeah.
Me:  Where did you learn that?
P:  Sid the Science Kid!

He then proceeded to tell me how he needs a shot so he doesn't get the flu virus.  He's 3. 

So folks, looks like TV isn't that bad after all.  Maybe I should watch a little more of it myself ;)  Now if only I could find a positive in all the sugar and fast food I feed my kids...

Bloggers Block

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July!  I know we did :)  Lots of great friends, great food, and fireworks!  Now that all the excitement has died down and the hubs is back to work, I am trying to clean & detox from the major sugar overload my whole family is on.  I am also suffering from a complete bloggers block. 

I can tell you that I have some exciting new reviews coming up, hopefully this week, but in the meantime, take a look at what I had for breakfast...

Ugh, leftovers...the detox is going well for me ;)

Beach Books

I read beach books all year long.  I am addicted.  I am so mentally exhausted by the end of the day that it is just about all I can do.  Last year, for Christmas, J gave me a kindle, and since then my addiction has gotten worse...

See, Amazon often has free books to download, and usually they are categorized as "romance."  I'm not talking about smut...just your typical girl meets boy, boy screws up, boy fixes it, boy and girl live happily ever after type of stuff.  But, it's free, it makes me happy, and it doesn't take all that much thinking :)

So, when Amazon offered one of Jill Mansell's books for free, I thought I'd try it.  You know, pretty cover, contemporary romance, etc.  Sounded fine.  But really, it was more than fine.  It was fantastic!  It took the typical formula and upped it a notch.  There was more depth to the characters, there was more than one story line, and it wasn't all lovey dovey.  So, I searched for more of her books, and lucky for me, Amazon decided to put two more of her books on their "Sunshine Deals" list, so for I was able to get both books for less than $5!

I have read these three of her books so far, and have not been disappointed!  If you are a girlie girl like me, who loves a good beach read, check these out.

Miranda's Big Mistake

 Millie's Fling 

Perfect Timing

6 Years Ago...

Six years ago, tomorrow, I married my best friend.  I know how cliched that sounds, but it's true.  We were babies...barely 22 when we got married, but already I knew that this was forever.  Now, 6 years later, with 2 babies of our own, I am so thankful for all the happiness and love I have been blessed with, and know that my life wouldn't be the same without my hubby.

So, J, I'm not sure how often you actually check out my blog, but if you do, know that I am as in love and as overjoyed to be your wife as I was on this day...

Here's to many more years of blessings, and to the amazing family we have created.  I couldn't ask for more.  xoxo