Now that Atalie is almost 6 weeks old I figured I would tell you the things that we use on a daily basis that I love, keep me sane, and would recommend!
Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat:
When we first started looking at car seats Jr's only criteria was that it was pink. And besides the obvious safety standards and reviews I knew I wanted a convertible car seat instead of an infant car seat this time around. And once I showed them to Jr, he agreed. I've always done a travel system which is great too... but being that Arielle is only 2 we had already gotten a double stroller for the both of them so a travel system wasn't needed. Sure we could push them in separate strollers but what about the rare occasion that Jr is not with me? And I could have gotten an infant car seat by itself but the more I thought about it... the more I wanted a car seat she could use until she was out of car seats. Do you know how many car seats my other 3 kids have gone through? At least 7 combined and we just bought both girls a new seat right before Atalie was born. That's 9 seats in all. Ridiculous! So we decided on the Graco because I will only buy Graco... it's my personal favorite brand and they've had various brands of car seats and equipment. We did find a pink one but last minute a few weeks before Atalie was born when we went to buy the seat... we found this grey and blue one at Target for an almost $70 difference just because of the colors. Pink & Brown was more expensive. So I quickly changed my mind and we bought that one. Jr would have spent the extra $70 but I think the grey/baby blue is just as nice. And it's the seat we wanted anyway. And I don't have a problem with not having the convenience of taking her out of the car in a seat. A baby in an infant seat is just too heavy for me to carry... I still remember those days with Arielle and I am mostly on my own during the day. Too stressful for me!
My Custom Wrap (Just like a Moby... only prettier!)
This was just something I wanted at first. They're cute. A lot cuter than those ugly backpack looking carriers. And it looked more comfortable than those too. I was given this one for my baby shower and I couldn't wait to use it. After learning how to tie it I couldn't wait for Atalie to be born so I could really see it in action. It's super easy! I don't need help putting it on or getting her in. It's truly awesome!! I use it every single day. When I go out somewhere I use it to carry her... being that I can't take her car seat out of the car I still need something to hold her in when I am at the grocery store for example. I love that it leaves me hands free so I can still chase Arielle because after all she is only two and I have to keep a close eye on her. I even use it at home when I want her to stay awake for a while... I strap her in facing forward and do my chores... wash dishes... blog... and she is very content in there just looking around. If I did this with her facing me she'd fall asleep so if I want her to sleep I can do that too. Seriously the BEST thing I can't live without!
Fisher Price Natures Touch Papasan Cradle Swing:
This swing was given to me by a friend. She used it for her son and just didn't want it anymore so she gave it to me. I would have never went out and bought this on my own because I have a small travel swing that belonged to Arielle and figured that would be enough. Now... I can't live without this swing. It's the only place she likes to sleep. The first 2 weeks or so she slept in the bassinet of her pack n play. But she always seemed to hate it. It took us until she was 3 weeks old to get batteries for the swing and since the first time she used it she was in love. The swing can swing back to front or side to side. It plays music. The mobile spins. It has this big globe mirror that she LOVES to stare at herself in. And the shape is really round so she is cradled in it. I try to have her sleep in her pack n play but most of the time she wakes up constantly. But as soon as I stick her in the swing... and I don't even have to turn it on... she goes right to sleep. Seriously highly recommended.
Summer Deluxe Infant Bather:
Personally I hate baby tubs. I never have used them. They're bulky, they take too much space, they take too long to fill, it's a hassle to clean and empty them, and while bathing a baby I have a hard time maneuvering them in the tub without feeling like I am gonna bump their head or other body part into the side of the plastic tub. I just don't like them at all.
I've always used this exact bather:
But my friend (same one who gave me the swing) gave me this one too. She never used it. Funny thing is that this one was on my registry and I was planning on buying it anyway. And I love it. I just run the bath and wash her. She loves it and I like that unlike the one I used to use... this one is elevated so I can even stick Arielle in the tub too and fill it a little and Atalie will still be above water. I prefer this to a baby tub any day... even if I have to bend over the tub to wash her. Not a big deal since I do this with Arielle still anyway.
Boppy Pillow:
At it's not only for breastfeeding women! LOL When I was pregnant with Arielle I registered for one because I was planning on trying to breastfeed her. My aunt bought me one! But by the time she was born I decided not to breastfeed anymore. It's a personal choice I know its better but I didn't feel like it was something I wanted to do. Diego and Alayna were formula fed and they are just fine (or so we think). But I never got rid of the Boppy. But I never even took it out of the bag either. It sat there brand new. I guess I never realized I could still use it even though I wasn't breastfeeding. So this time around I bought a slipcover for it and now I can't live without it either. What was I thinking?! Or not thinking before?!
We use it to feed her. In the beginning when I was still healing and suffering from being engorged I would put it around me and feed her so I wouldn't have to hold her so close to me but I could still support her. Now I still use it that way just because it's comfortable.
We use it when the kids want to hold her. She can lay there for a while if they hold her on it.
We use it for tummy time.
We use it as a seat when she wants to be nosey but we don't want to hold her. I think when we cradle her in it she thinks she is being held because she will stay there for hours!
She even naps in it!
I highly recommend a Boppy!
Prince Lionheart Bebe Pod:
This is like a Bumbo. I actually bought this one before Arielle was born. I never had used one but I know they sell for $45 and I happened to see it on sale for $9 at Walmart one day. They only had it in green (I wanted the pink and purple) but for $9 I grabbed one anyway. If it didn't work I didn't spend a whole lot on it. Little did I know this would be the best thing I ever bought for Arielle. She LOVED it. We LOVED it. Once she got to the age where she could hold herself up (3 months or so) she lived in it. I seriously took it everywhere we went. We'd go back for it if we forgot it anywhere.I used it to feed her in (solids of course) and she sat in it when I was too busy to hold her. By the time a baby is 3-4 months they want to be a big kid, they want to be nosey, they want to be included. This let her do all this. So even though Atalie isn't old enough for this yet... I am including it in my list because I know for me it is a MUST HAVE!]
*The reason I got it for $9 was because shortly after they came out with a new one (which is the one you find in stores now) where the center comes off and you can attach a tray to it. Either way still one of my favorite buys. The tray does look like it would be a plus though.
