My goodness time flies!!! Baby Audrey is almost eight months old!! I just wanted to update you with some of our current favorite products and things we couldn't live without.
Tivoli Couture NuComfort Memory Foam Stroller Liner
This is the best stroller accessory on the planet! Not only will it protect your stroller from everyday messes but it will make it more comfy for your little darling. The patterns are adorable and the liners are reversible! EVERYONE needs at least one of these (we have 2!).
Halo SleepSack
We use these from nearly day one. It gives us such great peace of mind knowing that our baby is safe and warm in her SleepSack. No blankets to wrap around, nothing to bunch up, just safe warm sleepy baby. And she knows as soon as it is on that it is time for bed. We have used SleepSacks will all three of our girls and recommend them to everyone!
Little Giraffe
There are so many Little Giraffe things that we use and love! First of all Baby Audrey absolutely LOVES her Little G plush toy, he greets her after a nap and she snuggles with him and bites his ears and tail. When we get in the car Little G Blanky is there for the ride, if she falls asleep he is tucked under her arm with her thumb in her mouth. Nap time is not nap time without our Chenille Dot Blanket, she cuddles underneath this super warm snuggly blanket and takes the best baby naps. Last but not least is our Little Giraffe hodded towels...we have tried so many different towels over the years with three girls and these are far and above the BEST. Our favorite is the Luxe Dot Towel, with it's cute little ears and super soft 100% cotton terry you just can't help but say awwwwww after you wrap up a baby burrito. If you need a baby gift, this is a one stop shop...adorable gift sets and even gifts for mom!!! Baby Audrey still wants an Oversized Little G and Sleepy G and we heard that Little G might be getting some new friends which I am sure we will have to have!
Sophie the Giraffe
Yes, everyone needs one (and a backup and a backup to your backup). What's the big deal about it? Is what we get asked ALL the time...well babies just love it and Baby Audrey is no exception!!!! Baby Audrey also has a Sophie Bath Toy from her Auntie FaVe Mom and she gets so excited when bath time Sophie gets all bubbly too.
Mutsy 4rider
We won this stroller from a contest hosted by Baby Gizmo and love it!!! The accessories are amazing!!! We have the shopping basket, step up board, and tray. It has a super smooth ride!! The underneath storage basket is a little small but add the shopping basket and it is just perfect.
Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Orchestra
This is easily Baby Audrey's fave toy! We love the multiple settings that allow her to direct the music or just dance for her.
Beco Butterfly II
What would we do without our amazing Beco Butterfly II carrier!!!!!????? We use this pretty much daily and everywhere we go!!!! If you don't have one, GET ONE! Front carry, back carry this thing does it ALL!
Kowalli
Well we know it isn't cold anymore (at least not here in the sunny Mid South!!) but when we had a few chilly spring days we pulled our Kowalli out and both mommy and Baby Audrey were snuggly warm. If you will wearing a baby during the chillier months you NEED one! (Trust us, we tried several of these, this is the BEST!).
Noodle & Boo
We have tried it all and always come back to Noodle & Boo. Super soft hair, amazingly soft baby skin, and you can't help but smell the deliciously awesome baby scent!! If you have a baby with a load of hair like Baby Audrey you need to check out the Hair Care Products (we LOVE the Hair Polish!!!).
I will be putting up another post later this week all about our favorite baby feeding items, including our fave foods!! Stay tuned!!!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Our MUST HAVES for the hospital bag!
I wanted to give you a list of the things for your hospital bag. After 3 babies I think I have the hospital bag packing down!
Things for Mommy:
1. Annie & Isabel Designer Hospital Gown (Maternity gowns are HUGE and ugly!)
2. Toiletries (The Push Pack is a fantastic way to ensure you don't forget anything!)
3. A pillow (Hospital pillows are not particularly comfy)
4. Going home clothes (think comfy maternity yoga pants and tshirts)
5. Nursing bra or two (If you need lanolin during your stay ask for it - some hospitals have Soothies on hand and some don't, up to you whether you want to have a set on hand)
6. A few DVDs (After delivering in three different hospitals we have come to learn that the TV selection in a hospital is terrible...and in the middle of the night it's nice to have something to watch if you are up with baby!)
7. Camera including charger or batteries and digital card
8. Charger for cell phone
9. Baby book (You might have a few minutes to write down baby's birth story and getting those first foot and hand prints is fun!)
10. Boppy Pillow
11. Slippers with non-slip bottoms (taking a walk down the halls is nice and you want to make sure you don't slip)
12. A cardigan or other sweater (it can be cool in the hospital)
13. A nursing cover if you'll have visitors and want to be a little more modest
Things for Daddy:
1. Daddy Scrubs (Mom doesn't have to be the only one wearing super snazzy delivery duds!)
2. Toiletries
3. Pajamas and a sweatshirt/hoodie (Snag a super cute "I'm the Daddy" hoodie!)
4. A pillow and blanket (Hospital accomodations for Daddy aren't usually comfy and it's often chilly)
5. Charger for cell phone
6. Money for snacks and a trip to the cafeteria
Things for Baby:
1. Going home outfit (Anything else you need during your stay will be provided by the hospital - including clothing, diapers, beanie hats, etc.)
2. A cozy cuddly blanket for snuggling (We love Everything Happy and Little Giraffe blankets)
2. Car seat installed and checked by a CPST
Things for Mommy:
1. Annie & Isabel Designer Hospital Gown (Maternity gowns are HUGE and ugly!)
2. Toiletries (The Push Pack is a fantastic way to ensure you don't forget anything!)
3. A pillow (Hospital pillows are not particularly comfy)
4. Going home clothes (think comfy maternity yoga pants and tshirts)
5. Nursing bra or two (If you need lanolin during your stay ask for it - some hospitals have Soothies on hand and some don't, up to you whether you want to have a set on hand)
6. A few DVDs (After delivering in three different hospitals we have come to learn that the TV selection in a hospital is terrible...and in the middle of the night it's nice to have something to watch if you are up with baby!)
7. Camera including charger or batteries and digital card
8. Charger for cell phone
9. Baby book (You might have a few minutes to write down baby's birth story and getting those first foot and hand prints is fun!)
10. Boppy Pillow
11. Slippers with non-slip bottoms (taking a walk down the halls is nice and you want to make sure you don't slip)
12. A cardigan or other sweater (it can be cool in the hospital)
13. A nursing cover if you'll have visitors and want to be a little more modest
Things for Daddy:
1. Daddy Scrubs (Mom doesn't have to be the only one wearing super snazzy delivery duds!)
2. Toiletries
3. Pajamas and a sweatshirt/hoodie (Snag a super cute "I'm the Daddy" hoodie!)
4. A pillow and blanket (Hospital accomodations for Daddy aren't usually comfy and it's often chilly)
5. Charger for cell phone
6. Money for snacks and a trip to the cafeteria
Things for Baby:
1. Going home outfit (Anything else you need during your stay will be provided by the hospital - including clothing, diapers, beanie hats, etc.)
2. A cozy cuddly blanket for snuggling (We love Everything Happy and Little Giraffe blankets)
2. Car seat installed and checked by a CPST
Our 10 MUST HAVES for Baby!
Since baby A will be 6 weeks old tomorrow I thought it was time for a Ten Must Haves for Baby list!
1. Nap Nanny Chill ~ Everyone who has had a baby knows that sleep is a precious commodity with an infant. Because of it's recline (and we think super soft cover) babies sleep like, well, babies in the Nap Nanny Chill. It is super portable (we take ours upstairs and down daily), and if you see Nap Nanny at a trade show they may just have their adult version out (and yes, I am still waiting for this to be made available for purchase...I would love an adult Nap Nanny ;) ).
2. Beco Butterfly 2 or Beco Gemini Carrier ~ Without a carrier I would be lost. This is how I grocery shop, take my older girls to ballet, watch soccer games, make cupcakes, and more. Audrey loves to be comfy cozy inside the infant insert in the Butterfly 2 (and it comes with it, not a separate purchase!) and I carried Gracie (now nearly 4) until she was 2 on my back. The Butterfly 2 allows you to carry kiddos on both your front and back (and the Gemini does the same).
3. KowalliBaby Carrier Cover ~ Living in a cooler climate means that carrying a baby requires a little bit of extra insulation to keep everyone cozy warm. I looked at the carrier cover options and of course in true SBS style I bought two different covers to try and the KowalliBaby is by FAR the best product out there. It fits both me and my husband (he's 6'3" and I'm 5'6") and of course keeps baby Audrey warm and snuggly on those cooler days. We love all of the color options and the adorable matching KozyHats and SnuggleBoots for baby (we think they need matching mommy hats too!!).
4. Little Giraffe Blankets & Hooded Towels ~ These are the softest blankets around and you will be super jealous of your little one getting to snuggle with one! The Little Giraffe Hooded Towels are the perfect size and made with amazingly soft terrycloth and their super soft cozy fuzzy trim. And of course you can't resist snapping a picture of your cutie with the adorable ears on the hood.
5. Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bag & Accessories ~ JJBs have been my favorite bags for years now! You have to love a diaper bag that is machine washable! With amazing organization and options for every mom out there JJB wins the diaper bag race with us. Patterns are bright and colorful or demure and gender neutral and accessories to match. Our fave bag is the BFF and must have accessory is the BeQuick (trust us, you'll need more than one!).
6. Boppy Pillow ~ No matter if you breastfeed or formula feed your baby you need a Boppy! There are so many uses for these ingenious pillows that I guarantee you will be super glad you have at least one. And we love love the newest member of the Boppy Pillow family, the Travel Boppy Pillow. The Travel Boppy Pillow folds into its own bag and comes complete with a carrying strap.
7. Everything Happy Blankies ~ Yes we have two different blankets on our must haves list but you can't have too many blankets right? We love love the One to Love, One to Give mission that allows you to donate one Blankie for every one that you buy to a childrens' charity (from their list of giving destinations). The cute characters that make up these fantastic Blankies will have you wanting one in your size as well! Three sizes allow you to get one for your older kiddos too (both of our older girls have their own EH Blankie). Oh and use code frances25 and get 25% off your order (through 11/30/12).
8. Britax Car Seat ~ We have larger babies so we have the ability to use a convertible car seat from the beginning (we like the Boulevard) but Britax makes infant seats too. Right now we have three Britax seats in our van for each one of our girls (6 years, nearly 4 years, and 1 month). These seats are super easy to install and give us peace of mind knowing our kiddos are safe and secure. (Always have your car seat installation checked by a CPST - 90% of car seats are installed incorrectly!!)
9. Noodle & Boo Bath Products ~ When Gracie (our second kiddo) had super sensitive skin as a baby we finally found a product line that helped and it was Noodle & Boo. So of course when Baby #3 was on the way I went back to my favorite bath products. They smell wonderful and leave baby's skin feeling soft! I also love love the line for adults called Glowology. The Balm is the bomb (heeheee!!!).
10. Tivoli Couture NuComfort Memory Foam Stroller Pad ~ It's no secret that I am a bit of a stroller hoarder and finding something that made my strollers more comfy for baby was awesome! Not only are these liners super soft and comfy but if you have a mess to clean up there is no concern about how to get the stroller clean, just clean the liner! We have a Silly Monkeys in Blue in our Mutsy 4rider and definitely need another one in our Baby Jogger City Mini (and it's pink so we are thinking Sea Life in Pink or Damask).
*The reviewer was was compensated by KowalliBaby and The Boppy Company ONLY, however the opinions are all her own!
1. Nap Nanny Chill ~ Everyone who has had a baby knows that sleep is a precious commodity with an infant. Because of it's recline (and we think super soft cover) babies sleep like, well, babies in the Nap Nanny Chill. It is super portable (we take ours upstairs and down daily), and if you see Nap Nanny at a trade show they may just have their adult version out (and yes, I am still waiting for this to be made available for purchase...I would love an adult Nap Nanny ;) ).
2. Beco Butterfly 2 or Beco Gemini Carrier ~ Without a carrier I would be lost. This is how I grocery shop, take my older girls to ballet, watch soccer games, make cupcakes, and more. Audrey loves to be comfy cozy inside the infant insert in the Butterfly 2 (and it comes with it, not a separate purchase!) and I carried Gracie (now nearly 4) until she was 2 on my back. The Butterfly 2 allows you to carry kiddos on both your front and back (and the Gemini does the same).
3. KowalliBaby Carrier Cover ~ Living in a cooler climate means that carrying a baby requires a little bit of extra insulation to keep everyone cozy warm. I looked at the carrier cover options and of course in true SBS style I bought two different covers to try and the KowalliBaby is by FAR the best product out there. It fits both me and my husband (he's 6'3" and I'm 5'6") and of course keeps baby Audrey warm and snuggly on those cooler days. We love all of the color options and the adorable matching KozyHats and SnuggleBoots for baby (we think they need matching mommy hats too!!).
4. Little Giraffe Blankets & Hooded Towels ~ These are the softest blankets around and you will be super jealous of your little one getting to snuggle with one! The Little Giraffe Hooded Towels are the perfect size and made with amazingly soft terrycloth and their super soft cozy fuzzy trim. And of course you can't resist snapping a picture of your cutie with the adorable ears on the hood.
5. Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bag & Accessories ~ JJBs have been my favorite bags for years now! You have to love a diaper bag that is machine washable! With amazing organization and options for every mom out there JJB wins the diaper bag race with us. Patterns are bright and colorful or demure and gender neutral and accessories to match. Our fave bag is the BFF and must have accessory is the BeQuick (trust us, you'll need more than one!).
6. Boppy Pillow ~ No matter if you breastfeed or formula feed your baby you need a Boppy! There are so many uses for these ingenious pillows that I guarantee you will be super glad you have at least one. And we love love the newest member of the Boppy Pillow family, the Travel Boppy Pillow. The Travel Boppy Pillow folds into its own bag and comes complete with a carrying strap.
7. Everything Happy Blankies ~ Yes we have two different blankets on our must haves list but you can't have too many blankets right? We love love the One to Love, One to Give mission that allows you to donate one Blankie for every one that you buy to a childrens' charity (from their list of giving destinations). The cute characters that make up these fantastic Blankies will have you wanting one in your size as well! Three sizes allow you to get one for your older kiddos too (both of our older girls have their own EH Blankie). Oh and use code frances25 and get 25% off your order (through 11/30/12).
8. Britax Car Seat ~ We have larger babies so we have the ability to use a convertible car seat from the beginning (we like the Boulevard) but Britax makes infant seats too. Right now we have three Britax seats in our van for each one of our girls (6 years, nearly 4 years, and 1 month). These seats are super easy to install and give us peace of mind knowing our kiddos are safe and secure. (Always have your car seat installation checked by a CPST - 90% of car seats are installed incorrectly!!)
9. Noodle & Boo Bath Products ~ When Gracie (our second kiddo) had super sensitive skin as a baby we finally found a product line that helped and it was Noodle & Boo. So of course when Baby #3 was on the way I went back to my favorite bath products. They smell wonderful and leave baby's skin feeling soft! I also love love the line for adults called Glowology. The Balm is the bomb (heeheee!!!).
10. Tivoli Couture NuComfort Memory Foam Stroller Pad ~ It's no secret that I am a bit of a stroller hoarder and finding something that made my strollers more comfy for baby was awesome! Not only are these liners super soft and comfy but if you have a mess to clean up there is no concern about how to get the stroller clean, just clean the liner! We have a Silly Monkeys in Blue in our Mutsy 4rider and definitely need another one in our Baby Jogger City Mini (and it's pink so we are thinking Sea Life in Pink or Damask).
*The reviewer was was compensated by KowalliBaby and The Boppy Company ONLY, however the opinions are all her own!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sleep...glorious sleep (with a newborn!!!)!!!!!
I'll be honest, my first two girls DID NOT sleep well at all until they were about a year old. It was awful, I was a mombie (my mom/zombie combo) everyday. I tried everything to get them to settle and sleep even just for a few hours at a time. We tried a swing, a bouncy seat, a pack n play, a bassinet that rocked, and even the crib...nothing worked. So a few years ago when I learned about the Nap Nanny I bought one and stored it in the closet until the day when we would have baby #3.
When we came home with baby #3 of course the Nap Nanny was ready and waiting for us. But we only used it during the day and couldn't figure out why she would sleep during the day and not at night. We had her in a Graco Pack n Play at night and she just never could settle. So my mom suggested that we have her sleep in the Nap Nanny at night too and VOILA!!!! SLEEP!!!!!!
The ingenious design of the Nap Nanny helps infants sleep longer, including my own!! The Nap Nanny totally makes my "MUST HAVE" list!!!!! If you are a mom-to-be, don't wait, BUY ONE!!!! I recently talked to a mom with a baby just two weeks younger than my baby #3 and told her about the Nap Nanny, she went and bought one immediately!! I highly recommend an extra cover when you purchase your Nap Nanny Chill just in case you have a baby diaper blow out in the middle of the night and the travel bag is super if you do plan on taking your Nap Nanny with you when you travel.
Our Nap Nanny is a Second Generation version and we just love the newest Chill (and especially the Giraffe print cover!!).
When we came home with baby #3 of course the Nap Nanny was ready and waiting for us. But we only used it during the day and couldn't figure out why she would sleep during the day and not at night. We had her in a Graco Pack n Play at night and she just never could settle. So my mom suggested that we have her sleep in the Nap Nanny at night too and VOILA!!!! SLEEP!!!!!!
The ingenious design of the Nap Nanny helps infants sleep longer, including my own!! The Nap Nanny totally makes my "MUST HAVE" list!!!!! If you are a mom-to-be, don't wait, BUY ONE!!!! I recently talked to a mom with a baby just two weeks younger than my baby #3 and told her about the Nap Nanny, she went and bought one immediately!! I highly recommend an extra cover when you purchase your Nap Nanny Chill just in case you have a baby diaper blow out in the middle of the night and the travel bag is super if you do plan on taking your Nap Nanny with you when you travel.
Our Nap Nanny is a Second Generation version and we just love the newest Chill (and especially the Giraffe print cover!!).
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Lela Knows!!!!
Are you overwhelmed by all of the choices out there for car seats, strollers, baby carriers, high chairs, and more? Don't have a bunch of time to do research on each one of these categories? Look no further my friends, Lela.com is here to help!! In just a few minutes you can have a personalized list of products selected for you with super fabulous ratings to show you which products are the most compatible with your preferences and lifestyle.
I am absolutely in LOVE with the side bar that breaks down the different types of car seats and strollers to let you choose which makes sense for your little one. You are not necessarily locked in to the old infant car seat and Lela.com shows you the different seats that "grow with your child". And the same goes for the strollesr, from jogging to lightweight all of your options are broken down. And of course the carriers are broken down as well into the different categories so you can choose the style that fits your little one.
Go check it out and save some time in picking those very important products for your baby!! And Lela.com also has a Home & Electronics section so check that out too (and maybe snag a "push present" for the new Daddy!). :)
Ready to go to Lela.com?? Click this link to get started:
http://www.lela.com/?utm_source=Fave&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Fave-Intro
I am absolutely in LOVE with the side bar that breaks down the different types of car seats and strollers to let you choose which makes sense for your little one. You are not necessarily locked in to the old infant car seat and Lela.com shows you the different seats that "grow with your child". And the same goes for the strollesr, from jogging to lightweight all of your options are broken down. And of course the carriers are broken down as well into the different categories so you can choose the style that fits your little one.
Go check it out and save some time in picking those very important products for your baby!! And Lela.com also has a Home & Electronics section so check that out too (and maybe snag a "push present" for the new Daddy!). :)
Ready to go to Lela.com?? Click this link to get started:
http://www.lela.com/?utm_source=Fave&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Fave-Intro
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The designer hospital gown showdown.
With baby #3 on the way I started looking for things to make my hospital stay more comfortable. I knew I would be having a C-section (after two previous C-sections) and would have about three days in the hospital. I wanted to feel as fabulous as I could for those three days. I found several different designer hospital gown companies and brought the decision down to two, it was either going to be a Hot Mama Gown or an Annie & Isabel gown. I couldn't decide...so I got one of each! Here is what I thought of each...
The Annie & Isabel Susan Gown
First of all, I am absolutely in love with with company. Their gowns are designed by two RNs so they know exactly what you need when it comes to a hospital stay. The nurses were extremely impressed with my gown when I was in the small room getting prepped (IV, baby monitoring, pre-op meds, etc.) but they were worried they were going to get blood on it during the surgery so they asked if I would wear their gown and then change when I was in recovery. I obliged as I wanted to wear my A&I gown during my stay and not have to change it immediately after surgery. After I was in recovery and able to sit up without feeling nauseous (ICK!) they helped me change into my Susan gown. Every single nurse thought it was absolutely adorable and were super impressed that it had been designed by RNs. We left it open in the back so that the anesthesia folks could come in and check out my spinal block site since I was still in the "waiting to feel my legs again" stage. Changing from the shapeless general hospital gown to one that was my size was amazing and made nursing the baby so much easier, there weren't flaps of fabric hanging everywhere. The shoulders snap open and closed to make it super easy to nurse. Once I was able to get up out of bed the next day I was able to use the side tie to ensure that I didn't flash everyone when I walked to the bathroom, and not having to ask for help with that was fantastic as I needed help with everything else. When I was finally able to take a shower I changed to the Hot Mama Gown to give it a test drive...
The Hot Mama Antoinette Gown
I love that Hot Mama Gowns was started by a mom with a daughter nearly the same age as my first baby girl. The organic cotton used in their gowns is super soft and supple. And once again, having a gown that fit me versus the shapeless, meant to fit the 300 pound proverbial fat man was wonderful. I honestly thought that I would like the HMG for nursing and toward the end of my hospital stay better, I thought the nursing access was more suited toward a longer stay. I really had a hard time with the breastfeeding panels and the ties that allow that access and finally gave up and just used the snaps along the shoulder to nurse the baby. There was so much fabric bunched up in the front of the gown that I felt a like I had and extra blanket on top of me. It definitely provided me the same coverage on the backside so I was able to walk around without showing the world what was under the gown but I definitely didn't get as many compliments on my HMG compared to my A&I gown. It was comfy but a bit complicated! I did think that the additions to the HMG line to include headbands were super cool so I ordered a matching one along with my gown. I was surprised that it was quite small, and I have a small head, and didn't fit so well. The concept was great however and you can even get a matching hair clip as well.
So which one wins?
The Annie & Isabel gown was the best choice! The more simple design allowed for easier use and the fact that it was designed by RNs made it so much easier for the RNs to gain access to anything they needed. Nursing was super simple in my A&I gown compared to the specially designed panels in the HMG. Both companies have amazing customer service with a personal touch (when my gowns arrived from each company I had a personal note from both company owners and HMG popped a bonus gift of their lip balm in my box which was lovely!).
The Annie & Isabel Susan Gown
First of all, I am absolutely in love with with company. Their gowns are designed by two RNs so they know exactly what you need when it comes to a hospital stay. The nurses were extremely impressed with my gown when I was in the small room getting prepped (IV, baby monitoring, pre-op meds, etc.) but they were worried they were going to get blood on it during the surgery so they asked if I would wear their gown and then change when I was in recovery. I obliged as I wanted to wear my A&I gown during my stay and not have to change it immediately after surgery. After I was in recovery and able to sit up without feeling nauseous (ICK!) they helped me change into my Susan gown. Every single nurse thought it was absolutely adorable and were super impressed that it had been designed by RNs. We left it open in the back so that the anesthesia folks could come in and check out my spinal block site since I was still in the "waiting to feel my legs again" stage. Changing from the shapeless general hospital gown to one that was my size was amazing and made nursing the baby so much easier, there weren't flaps of fabric hanging everywhere. The shoulders snap open and closed to make it super easy to nurse. Once I was able to get up out of bed the next day I was able to use the side tie to ensure that I didn't flash everyone when I walked to the bathroom, and not having to ask for help with that was fantastic as I needed help with everything else. When I was finally able to take a shower I changed to the Hot Mama Gown to give it a test drive...
The Hot Mama Antoinette Gown
I love that Hot Mama Gowns was started by a mom with a daughter nearly the same age as my first baby girl. The organic cotton used in their gowns is super soft and supple. And once again, having a gown that fit me versus the shapeless, meant to fit the 300 pound proverbial fat man was wonderful. I honestly thought that I would like the HMG for nursing and toward the end of my hospital stay better, I thought the nursing access was more suited toward a longer stay. I really had a hard time with the breastfeeding panels and the ties that allow that access and finally gave up and just used the snaps along the shoulder to nurse the baby. There was so much fabric bunched up in the front of the gown that I felt a like I had and extra blanket on top of me. It definitely provided me the same coverage on the backside so I was able to walk around without showing the world what was under the gown but I definitely didn't get as many compliments on my HMG compared to my A&I gown. It was comfy but a bit complicated! I did think that the additions to the HMG line to include headbands were super cool so I ordered a matching one along with my gown. I was surprised that it was quite small, and I have a small head, and didn't fit so well. The concept was great however and you can even get a matching hair clip as well.
So which one wins?
The Annie & Isabel gown was the best choice! The more simple design allowed for easier use and the fact that it was designed by RNs made it so much easier for the RNs to gain access to anything they needed. Nursing was super simple in my A&I gown compared to the specially designed panels in the HMG. Both companies have amazing customer service with a personal touch (when my gowns arrived from each company I had a personal note from both company owners and HMG popped a bonus gift of their lip balm in my box which was lovely!).
Friday, July 13, 2012
FINALLY a Travel Boppy!!! YYYAAAAYYYY!!!!
We travel, A LOT. There are so many products made for traveling with babies but there was a gap, a big gap, for us nursing moms when we traveled...that magical Boppy nursing pillow. Every time I got packed up for a trip I would say goodbye to my magic Boppy until I returned home. It just wasn't practical to carry it along with all my normal gear (and I am a bit of an over packer) and the kiddo as I often travel by myself. I always wished a travel Boppy pillow existed and now for my third baby that wish has come true!!
This fabulous new Boppy Travel Pillow folds to less than half the size of a regular Boppy Pillow and has a great strap for over the shoulder or cross body carrying. It zips open and closes easily for transport (and even has straps for you to attach to the stroller!). Once opened it is just like having your old buddy Boppy right along with you. Nursing a baby without a Boppy is often a strange version of yoga (and I have nursed babies in just about any venue you could imagine-including a US Navy Destroyer) and now with the Boppy Travel Pillow you won't have that crazy twisting and turning when on an airplane, at your in-laws, on vacation, or just out at the mall.
The only part I had a bit of trouble with was the clasp meant to hold the shoulder strap to the pillow. Just took a few extra minutes for me to figure out how to get this clasp undone and now it's super easy. I am 100% in love with this product and will recommend it to every single mom out there, whether you travel often or just every once in awhile by plane, car, train, boat or burro you NEED a Boppy Travel Pillow!!!!!!
Thank you to the Boppy Company for sending me a Boppy Travel Pillow to review!!
*The reviewer was compensated with a Boppy Travel Pillow free of cost to review but the opinions are all her own!!
This fabulous new Boppy Travel Pillow folds to less than half the size of a regular Boppy Pillow and has a great strap for over the shoulder or cross body carrying. It zips open and closes easily for transport (and even has straps for you to attach to the stroller!). Once opened it is just like having your old buddy Boppy right along with you. Nursing a baby without a Boppy is often a strange version of yoga (and I have nursed babies in just about any venue you could imagine-including a US Navy Destroyer) and now with the Boppy Travel Pillow you won't have that crazy twisting and turning when on an airplane, at your in-laws, on vacation, or just out at the mall.
The only part I had a bit of trouble with was the clasp meant to hold the shoulder strap to the pillow. Just took a few extra minutes for me to figure out how to get this clasp undone and now it's super easy. I am 100% in love with this product and will recommend it to every single mom out there, whether you travel often or just every once in awhile by plane, car, train, boat or burro you NEED a Boppy Travel Pillow!!!!!!
Thank you to the Boppy Company for sending me a Boppy Travel Pillow to review!!
*The reviewer was compensated with a Boppy Travel Pillow free of cost to review but the opinions are all her own!!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Packing the hospital bag...must haves!!!
So it's that time...time to start thinking about what I will pack in my hospital bag. This is baby #3 so by this point I think I have this bag packing thing down. Below is a little list of the things I like to pack in my bag (and my reasons why!!). Not all of this will apply to everyone of course. ;)
Alright, hopefully that gets you poppin!!! There are a million lists out there and lots have things on there that you certainly won't need. I know my first hospital bag had so much stuff in it that we didn't even come close to needing. Ask other moms that have delivered at the hospital you will be delivering and see what they did and didn't need. For me it always changes, this will baby will be delivered in our third hospital!
- Your own shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, face wash, etc. (Trust me, you will want a shower and sometimes hospitals provide those things and sometimes they don't. Either way, having your own toiletries from home just makes you feel better.)
- A hair dryer (Girls-this may be the last time you dry your hair while you have someone else gooing and gawing all over your baby for awhile!!)
- Your own gown/clothes to change in to after the birth. (Birth is messy, let's just get that out of the way right now. For me, I have a planned C-section coming up so I know they probably won't let me wear my own hospital gown in OR so my plan to change to one of the gowns I bought from Annie & Isabel or Hot Mama Gowns as soon as I can.)
- Something super comfy to go home in, think maternity yoga pants and a tshirt. (Trust me girls, you won't be going home in your pre-preggo jeans, just ain't gonna happen.)
- Something for baby to go home in. (Remember that baby will still have an umbilical stump and something like a super fancy dress or mini tux is not really practical.)
- A camera and extra batteries and/or charger for your iPhone!! ;)
Alright, hopefully that gets you poppin!!! There are a million lists out there and lots have things on there that you certainly won't need. I know my first hospital bag had so much stuff in it that we didn't even come close to needing. Ask other moms that have delivered at the hospital you will be delivering and see what they did and didn't need. For me it always changes, this will baby will be delivered in our third hospital!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The great diaper bag decision...
There are SO many diaper bag choices out there!! How do you make heads or tails of the options? Well let me help a little...Hi, my name is Frances and I am a diaper bag snob. My all time favorite diaper bag brand is Ju-Ju-Be. There are so many features to mention, they are washable and have amazing organization. When they designed these bags they thought of everything from a mommy pocket to an insulated bottle pocket and all kinds of great little pockets inside to organize everything for baby. You could use one of each JJB but a few for the starter diaper bag addict would be the BFF, PackaBe and BeAll. And you will need some of the super awesome accessories too. You'll want a few BeQuicks (great for packing diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and more!) and even a fabulous BeRich or BeMajor for yourself. Even the wallets are machine washable!! We can't say enough good things about Ju-Ju-Bes, they are amazing and completely cover all of your diaper bag needs!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
What do you really need for baby?
Recently I have had several friends asking for advice on what they need for their new babies. Most of them first time moms but a few moms with a second kiddo looking for things to accommodate both kids. So here are a few of my "must haves" for your new little one.
1. A good stroller. Trust me, you will use your stroller A LOT and spending money on a quality one will serve you well (skip the travel system!!). A few of our favorites are the Bumbleride Indie and Indie Twin, Baby Jogger City Mini and City Select, BOB, and the UPPABaby Vista. And when baby gets a bit older and you want something a little more compact, we suggest the Joovy Kooper.
2. If you are even considering part time cloth diapering then you'll definitely need a few essentials. First, our all time favorite diaper is FuzziBunz Perfect Size. They come in the cutest colors and fit our kiddos perfectly. You will also need cloth diaper detergent and once again we have a favorite (of course we do!) and that is Rockin' Green. They have a great tool on their site to determine which formula (Classic Rock, Soft Rock or Hard Rock) is best for the area that you live in. And last but certainly not least is a Wet Bag, and you can get one of those when you pick up your FuzziBunz diapers!
3. A good soft structured carrier (SSC). If you want to grocery shop, then you need an SSC!! Skip the Baby Bjorn and head straight for our two faves the Boba Carrier and the Beco Butterfly II. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!!!!!
4. This one might be kind of a duh but it's the type that we are looking at. Skip the infant car seat, you use it for less than a year and need a convertible seat eventually anyway. Instead head straight for the convertible seats, our faves are Britax. We brought our middle child home from the hospital in a Britax Boulevard and she is now over 3 and still riding in that seat. And remember, keep your kidlet rear facing until he/she is at least 2!!!!!!
5. And last but certainly not least are the blankies, sleep sacks, and of course toys! Our favorite blankies are Everything Happy Blankies (we LOVE the One to Love, One to Give mission and you can use code frances25 for 25% off!!) and Little Giraffe blankets, hooded towels, and of course Little G. Halo sleep sacks are by far the best out there and we just love them!! Then our favorite toy for little ones is by far Sophie the Giraffe and all of her friends!!
Well that should get you shopping for now and I'm sure we'll have more to add later!!! ENJOY and happy baby gear shopping!
*I was not compensated to write this post.
1. A good stroller. Trust me, you will use your stroller A LOT and spending money on a quality one will serve you well (skip the travel system!!). A few of our favorites are the Bumbleride Indie and Indie Twin, Baby Jogger City Mini and City Select, BOB, and the UPPABaby Vista. And when baby gets a bit older and you want something a little more compact, we suggest the Joovy Kooper.
2. If you are even considering part time cloth diapering then you'll definitely need a few essentials. First, our all time favorite diaper is FuzziBunz Perfect Size. They come in the cutest colors and fit our kiddos perfectly. You will also need cloth diaper detergent and once again we have a favorite (of course we do!) and that is Rockin' Green. They have a great tool on their site to determine which formula (Classic Rock, Soft Rock or Hard Rock) is best for the area that you live in. And last but certainly not least is a Wet Bag, and you can get one of those when you pick up your FuzziBunz diapers!
3. A good soft structured carrier (SSC). If you want to grocery shop, then you need an SSC!! Skip the Baby Bjorn and head straight for our two faves the Boba Carrier and the Beco Butterfly II. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!!!!!
4. This one might be kind of a duh but it's the type that we are looking at. Skip the infant car seat, you use it for less than a year and need a convertible seat eventually anyway. Instead head straight for the convertible seats, our faves are Britax. We brought our middle child home from the hospital in a Britax Boulevard and she is now over 3 and still riding in that seat. And remember, keep your kidlet rear facing until he/she is at least 2!!!!!!
5. And last but certainly not least are the blankies, sleep sacks, and of course toys! Our favorite blankies are Everything Happy Blankies (we LOVE the One to Love, One to Give mission and you can use code frances25 for 25% off!!) and Little Giraffe blankets, hooded towels, and of course Little G. Halo sleep sacks are by far the best out there and we just love them!! Then our favorite toy for little ones is by far Sophie the Giraffe and all of her friends!!
Well that should get you shopping for now and I'm sure we'll have more to add later!!! ENJOY and happy baby gear shopping!
*I was not compensated to write this post.
Friday, December 9, 2011
KinderCare's Winter Science Camps ROCK!!!
Wondering what your kiddos will do during the Winter break?? Still haven't finished all your shopping?? Don't worry, we have the PERFECT solution!!! KinderCare Winter Science Camp!!!!!! These camps are running at a KinderCare near you from December 19th-23rd and December 27th-30th. Both school age and preschool kids will love these amazingly engaging and educational camps.
Gracie loved spending the morning as a scientist and has asked multiple times to go back and play!! Your kiddos can enjoy this amazing learning camp too from December 19th-23rd and December 27th-30th at a KinderCare near you!!
We also got a special treat and had the opportunity to play in amazing San Diego SNOW!!! KinderCare filled the playground with snow and let the kids make snow angels, build snow people, and of course throw snow balls. Gracie had an amazing time, and so did I!!!
This post was sponsored by KinderCare.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Posh Little Urbanites Show (PLUSH)
On Sunday we went to the Posh Little Urbanites Show (PLUSH) in LA. What an amazing experience!!! It was baby gear heaven!!!! We learned about a bunch of new products and companies that we just love!!! Here are a few of our faves:
1. Kleynimals They are non-toxic "keys" that your kiddo can play with as an alternative to your keys in the grocery store!! Super cute animals and they won't fuss that they don't feel just like your keys!!
2. Lollacup Amazing straw sippy cups for 9+ month olds. They are beyond adorable and already kid tested by our two year old who LOVES them!! The straw is weighted so it stays down and keeps the cup in the juice/milk/water. We nabbed a green and orange one at the event and they even have names now (thanks to our five year old...the green one is Wizzle and the orange one is Lola)!
3. Layla Grayce This is a GREAT online baby gear/decor shop. If you are looking for the shabby chic look, this is THE place for you!!
4. Cutie Covers With their "Cutie Covers Cash" in the VIP swag bags we couldn't go wrong buying one of these for baby #3 (no...not pregnant yet!!!)...we ordered the Hooty Hoot Owl and it looks beyond adorable!
That is a just a small view of what was there...and of course we want to see MORE next year!!!!!!! Mutsy, Bumbleride, Ju-Ju-Be, Joovy, Rockin' Green, Happy Heinys, FuzziBunz, BinkLink and many of our other faves!!!!!
1. Kleynimals They are non-toxic "keys" that your kiddo can play with as an alternative to your keys in the grocery store!! Super cute animals and they won't fuss that they don't feel just like your keys!!
2. Lollacup Amazing straw sippy cups for 9+ month olds. They are beyond adorable and already kid tested by our two year old who LOVES them!! The straw is weighted so it stays down and keeps the cup in the juice/milk/water. We nabbed a green and orange one at the event and they even have names now (thanks to our five year old...the green one is Wizzle and the orange one is Lola)!
3. Layla Grayce This is a GREAT online baby gear/decor shop. If you are looking for the shabby chic look, this is THE place for you!!
4. Cutie Covers With their "Cutie Covers Cash" in the VIP swag bags we couldn't go wrong buying one of these for baby #3 (no...not pregnant yet!!!)...we ordered the Hooty Hoot Owl and it looks beyond adorable!
That is a just a small view of what was there...and of course we want to see MORE next year!!!!!!! Mutsy, Bumbleride, Ju-Ju-Be, Joovy, Rockin' Green, Happy Heinys, FuzziBunz, BinkLink and many of our other faves!!!!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Shopping the deal sites
We love a good deal (who doesn't???) especially on stuff for the kiddos!!! Here are a few of our favorite deal sites:
Zulily: There is always a great selection here!!! Anything from nursing bras, little girls' dresses, little boys' togs, shoes, toys, diaper bags, and even clothing for mom!! Only downside to using Zulily is the shipping can take awhile since things ship from the manufacturer to Zulily and then from Zulily to you, they do have wonderful customer service though. Keep an eye out and you are sure to find the high end item you are on the hunt for at a really good price!
Babysteals and Kidsteals: Babysteals and Kidsteals each have a daily deal that is sent to your email, actually Babysteals is up to two (one at 9AM MDT and one at 9PM MDT). These deals are typically 30-70% off of the retail price. You can get anything from kids' clothes, diaper bags, cloth diapers, to toys and shoes. They have wonderful customer service and super fast shipping but watch out, if it is something popular it will sell out really fast!
Mamapedia: These are deals similar to those on Groupon and Living Social although typically for an online shop like Rosenberry Rooms, ecomom.com, etc. They are slowly expanding the deals in specific cities.
Gilt Groupe: This is definitely the super high end stuff. Again they have everything for kiddos you can think of and even designer stuff for everyone you could think of! Wonderful site and one to check daily.
Mamabargains: This site moves a little slower depending on what is up for sale. They have "one hot deal at a time until it sells out". Lots of stuff for brand new moms and infants.
Zulily: There is always a great selection here!!! Anything from nursing bras, little girls' dresses, little boys' togs, shoes, toys, diaper bags, and even clothing for mom!! Only downside to using Zulily is the shipping can take awhile since things ship from the manufacturer to Zulily and then from Zulily to you, they do have wonderful customer service though. Keep an eye out and you are sure to find the high end item you are on the hunt for at a really good price!
Babysteals and Kidsteals: Babysteals and Kidsteals each have a daily deal that is sent to your email, actually Babysteals is up to two (one at 9AM MDT and one at 9PM MDT). These deals are typically 30-70% off of the retail price. You can get anything from kids' clothes, diaper bags, cloth diapers, to toys and shoes. They have wonderful customer service and super fast shipping but watch out, if it is something popular it will sell out really fast!
Mamapedia: These are deals similar to those on Groupon and Living Social although typically for an online shop like Rosenberry Rooms, ecomom.com, etc. They are slowly expanding the deals in specific cities.
Gilt Groupe: This is definitely the super high end stuff. Again they have everything for kiddos you can think of and even designer stuff for everyone you could think of! Wonderful site and one to check daily.
Mamabargains: This site moves a little slower depending on what is up for sale. They have "one hot deal at a time until it sells out". Lots of stuff for brand new moms and infants.
Our new favorite blankets!!!
Looking for a great "blankie" for your little one?? Or maybe a super special blanket for yourself?? Check out the blankets at www.bornplatinum.com!! We particularly like the giraffe and pink combo! And of course you can get them personalized with your little ones initials. She also does some super cute little guy ties!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Looking for a great way to organize your life??
Check out the organizing products available from Thirty-One!!! They have great totes and bins to get kids' rooms, toy rooms, garages, cars and everything in between organized!!
I can't wait to get the all-in one utility tote!!!
I can't wait to get the all-in one utility tote!!!
| http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E523191&from=DIRECTLINK |
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Want to win some free fluffy stuff???
In the cloth diaper world we often call our diapers "fluff"...one of my favorite places to shop online for my cloth diapers DiaperShops.com is having a Fluff n' Treat party on October 26, 2010 at 9PM EST. Want more info??? Visit http://ecochicparties.theecochic.com./fluff-n-treat-with-diapershops-102610/
Monday, September 27, 2010
What was that mommy's name?
Looking for super cute Mommy Calling Cards?? Check out A Touch of Whimsy!! And you can get 10% off of your entire order right now until October 5th!!! Just put the code fwolf10 in the coupon box and hit redeem!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
This mama knows how to boogie!!!
Ok well, since it seems that cold and flu season is coming up on us sooner this year everyone needs to know about Boogie Wipes!!
Boogie Wipes are saline wipes for little noses (created by two moms!!!!)...they get the boogies and snot better than baby wipes and are MUCH softer than tissues. These have become indispensable around our house for runny noses.
With four fabulous scents to choose from you are sure to find one that works for your kiddo! Our favorites are the Fresh Scent and Great Grape. You can find them locally at Wal-Greens, Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, and Toys R Us. I love carrying the single packs and handing them out to other moms!
If you want to learn more about Boogie Wipes (or the Boogie Moms) just head over to www.boogiewipes.com and there is also a coupon to download and get your own pack of Boogie Wipes!
A BIG boost for little diners!!
Is your little cherub done with the high chair and ready for a booster?? Check out the Prince Lionheart boosterPOD!!
Instead of the hard seat of other booster seats this has a soft squishy seat making it more comfy for little ones. It attaches to a chair using 2 very safe straps and has a traditional 3-point harness to keep kiddos safely in their seat.
It comes in 6 colors, 3 with a white base (yellow, green & orange) and 3 with a chocolate base (mint green, pink & light blue). We went with a chocolate base because white and toddlers' eating (or rather throwing) habits just don't mix!
Only downfall I see so far is trying to find one locally!! I called several stores in my area on the list and no one carried it so I ended up ordering it online. There are plenty of online retailers carrying them though!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Mommy Brain
If you are a mom you know what I'm talking about...you can't remember where you are supposed to be and when or who that was that you met at the park. I have a GREAT solution for you!!!! Head over to A Touch of Whimsy and pick out your very own mommy calling cards!!! I just received my order of Double Stroller Mommy Cards (Click Here to See!!) and I LOVE them!!!
We have a monthly calendar but it gets so covered in information that I was forgetting what we were supposed to do that week, once again A Touch of Whimsy to the rescue with their Dry Erase Weekly Calendar and voila, we haven't missed a playdate or appointment yet!
Not only does she make the cutest stuff but AWESOME customer service!!! I even got an update on my order before it shipped letting me know it would be shipping soon!! I will definitely be back for more whimsical stuff soon!!!
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