There are so many new and exciting things on the market for parents and babies, and I have definitely tried A LOT of them! But a few really stood out to me as, “I am so glad we have this!” and “If I didn’t have this, I would’ve struggled with ___!”. So, I wanted to share the Top 6 Items That Got Us Through the First 6 Months. (In no particular order!) I will also include links to find these items!
*this is my personal experience and opinion only* #1: The Doona Car Seat + Stroller This car seat + stroller combo is AMAZING! It is an infant car seat but has wheels that drop down to become a stroller. It is compact enough to travel easily and can be used without the base in ubers, taxis, and airplanes. This is great for every occasion; grab the seat out of the vehicle, drop the wheels down, and go! https://www.shopdoona.com/pages/doona-car-seat-stroller #2: Owlet Sock + Camera The Owlet sock is such a great peace of mind for new parents! I was always that person when babysitting that would constantly check to see if the baby was okay, even when I knew they were. This is great as it sends alerts to the main base and to your phone if baby’s heart bpm spikes or drops and if the oxygen levels drop. The camera also goes to your phone on the same screen at the vitals and has a two way talk and listen feature. https://owletcare.com/products/owlet-monitor-duo #3: Infantino Baby Carrier Thea lives in this carrier (if she isn’t in the car seat) when we are out and about. It’s super comfy and easy to put on and take off, plus it hugs baby just right. It’s also sleek enough to put on and wear a jacket over top when it gets chilly. It packs nicely and is machine washable! https://www.target.com/p/infantino-together-pull-on-knit-carrier/-/A-77523330#lnk=sametab #4: Best Diaper Bag Ever I didn’t start with this diaper bag and I wish I would have! We got this before our first road trip, and it has been amazing. It’s huge with just the right amount of space and inside pockets. The outside has a large zipper and when you undo it, a whole bassinet pops out! There are expanding poles to zip into the sides to keep it stable and a little arch to hang toys overhead. It comes with straps to wear it as a backpack or on your shoulder, and a protective, waterproof cinch bag. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WMP1HVV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details #5: Velcro Swaddles My little girl loved to be swaddled to sleep so these were a total must-have! She slept through the night by 6 weeks old and I don’t think that would have been the case if she didn’t sleep in these. Once the baby can roll over, the swaddles are not safe so we switched to a Baby Merlin Magic Sleep Suit, which has also been great, so I will link that as well! https://www.target.com/p/swaddleme-original-swaddle-wrap-newborn-s-m-3pk/-/A-81316086?preselect=52731934#lnk=sametab https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Merlins-Magic-Sleepsuit-Microfleece/dp/B00WRM0HX4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1M16WB6KKEB6N&dchild=1&keywords=magic+merlin+sleepsuit&qid=1619487285&s=baby-products&sprefix=mag%2Cbaby-products%2C240&sr=1-5 #6: Hatch Sound Machine + Light I was a little bit skeptical about this one at first but had watched kids who had it. I thought it was cool but didn’t understand the hype until I did some research and got one myself. This sound machine has so many options for sounds and the volume range is huge. It also is a light so you can dim and brighten it to your liking, plus there are all different colors. It is connected to your phone so you can turn the light up from there or change the sound. Also, I am planning to use this as a toddler bed training method, since you can set timers and light changes, you can have the light turn red at night with one sound and then green in the morning with a different sound to let the child know they can get out of bed. I haven’t had experience with this yet but that’s my thought process! Also, you can touch it to turn it on and off which is so helpful when you have your hands full with a sleeping baby. https://www.amazon.com/Hatch-Baby-Night-Light-Machine/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=hatch+machine&qid=1619487236&s=baby-products&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyM0pHOElIWk1JNVlQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTc0MzQyMUdBNFVXRDhBTEMwRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDIwMTE0MVlSQUJaSjNTQU5YUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Bonus Product for Breastfeeding Mamas: Medela Nipple Shield This was one of those things I thought were for women who wanted to use them, and it was just a choice or preference, so I didn’t have any when Thea was born. She was having a hard time latching and nothing was really working so the nurse gave us one to try out, and it worked perfectly, she took right to it! I went and bought probably 8-10 of them after that and just started leaving them around the house, in diaper bags, and purses so I had one when I needed it. I was worried it would be hard to wean her from it, but she did it all on her own when she was ready. This was an absolute lifesaver for our breastfeeding journey! It saved us from a lot of stress and frustration. If you are having similar issues, I highly, highly recommend these! https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Available-Different-Versions-Hospitals/dp/B077962FZH?pd_rd_w=NCKMo&pf_rd_p=c4085173-f058-4953-ae5c-65d9590cc2d0&pf_rd_r=3BPKHYQX8AP8QPK5X4C7&pd_rd_r=4cce7742-11bc-407c-98bd-d972f67fe92e&pd_rd_wg=jyfny&pd_rd_i=B077962FZH&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_71_t
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Today was a long day. A great day, but very long. I always love the way my days start. I typically put baby in bed with me when I wake up so she wakes up next to me, I love to see her excitement. We have a slow morning and get lunch ready. In the afternoon, the nap doesn’t seem to happen as easily as usual. Teething has been rough, and I hate that I can’t do more to help. We sneak in 15-30 minute naps, but not much longer than that. In between changing the laundry and dirty diapers, short feeds and quick naps, the afternoon drags on. I make supper plans with friends to do a quick catch up while bouncing a tired baby.
Bedtime is getting closer as night time comes. Baby girl loves the night time and starts to come alive with her new found voice and wiggles. We play and sing and soak up all the happy-baby time. Before I know it, midnight rolls around and it really, really needs to be time for some much needed sleep, but that's easier said than done. 15, 20, 25, 30… 45 minutes go by and you’re starting to lose hope, but finally a quiet sleep falls over her face and relief washes over you and it’s finally time to relax. As you lie in bed looking at her sweet, peaceful face, you start to feel a longing for that same peace. All day, you’ve juggled being a mom, a wife, keeping a home, and being a student. You’re so tired. But you miss her, you miss her smile and snuggles and fight the urge to pull her into bed to cuddle. I’ve wanted this peace and quiet for hours but now that I have it, I miss her and the new sounds and babbles she’s learned just this week. I just stare, not wanting her to wake up, but feeling a little hole in my heart, missing her, even though she’s just feet away. I cherish our time together and I know she won’t be little long; I remind myself that every day. I love these quiet moments, but live for the laughs, snuggles, squeals and wiggles. I know tomorrow will be here soon, and we will do it all over again, but for now, I miss her. I look at pictures and watch videos of her on my phone as I wonder if I did everything right and if she had a good day. I think about all the things I could’ve done differently, and the different choices I could’ve made. I wonder what she will be when she’s older, and what she will choose to do with her life. I wonder what tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year will bring for us. I miss her already, for just the few moments she’s been asleep. As hard as today was, I can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow. I am thankful for days with my baby and pray for many more hard days to come. |
welcomeHi! I am SO glad you are here! Having a blog has always been an idea in the back of my head but I never knew what I would even write about. I have always believed that I was put on this Earth to be a mom, and now that I am, I know what I can write about! I feel that I have so much to say and share and if I can help or inspire just one other person, I will be so happy! Archives
August 2021
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