8 NEW Baby Buys & Lifesaver Products

1. Latchy Catchy
I can't tell you how grateful I am to have this on our bedroom door and the door to our bathroom. We'll switch them to the nursery door and surrounding doors once we move Asher to his crib, too. You can still shut the door - but it's silent! Genius!

2. Bambino Land Burp Cloths
I have come to realize that the more absorbent burp cloths are the ones you'll reach for. These Bambino Land muslin burp cloths absorb what 3 of my other ones would! I always use these when I'm on the go.

3. Sophie the Giraffe ***with PLUSH!!!***
The plush version of the well known Sophie the Giraffe has been the 'go-to' toy. Until he's interested in really chewing on things, he much prefers the plush version. The giraffe shape makes it easy to hold and snuggle with for little ones who can't really grab very well yet, or at all. He's in love!

4. The Diaper Clutch
Just grab this little clutch out of your diaper bag for a quick run to change the baby. Unless you need an impromptu outfit change, as well, but otherwise this clutch is a cute little lifesaver!

5. BIBS
   Some babies just require bibs. Lots of bibs! See my bib post HERE.

 

Bandana bibs from Butterfly Kisses Co. on Etsy

6. Books, Books, & More Books! 
Before bedtime, when baby is a little fussy for no apparent reason (maybe bored), when you want a little extra "bonding time" - books are all around awesome to have and fun to read together! At my baby shower, we encouraged guests to give a book instead of a card (can you believe the price of cards these days??!) so that helped us get a great start to Asher's "library". Zulily also often has great package deals on unique books!

7. OBall by Rhino Toys
Little fingers can hold onto this ball long before their hands follow suit. Helps them with learning the dexterity of their fingers, too!

8. Earth's Best Nursery Wipes
Now that Asher is playing with toys more, playing in his exersaucer/jumperoo, and has his hands and mouth on everything, these wipes are a true lifesaver. They are alcohol free, non-toxic, chlorine free, hypoallergenic... the list goes on yet they still use natural cleansers and germ fighters to keep toys and surfaces safe for babies.

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Tales from Online Shopping - Baby Gear

Here are some of my most recent online "finds"...

1. Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers - We're trying them out as our disposable alternative to cloth when on vacation and when outfits wont fit over cloth.

2. Spider Monkey Plush Toy Set from Zulily

3. Stokke MyCarrier and Bib Set - Stokke was kind enough to send me this organic 3 in 1 baby carrier to review on our upcoming vacation. I'm SO excited to try it because I have only heard amazing things about it! I bought the coordinating carrier bibs for our little drooler. Check back for the full review and lots of pics! I hope I am able to say goodbye to my annoying back pain after using this ergonomic baby carrier.

4. Cloth Wipes from Sweet Bobbins - Thick, soft, CUTE, and so handy for everything drool to bum.

5. Turquoise Teething Necklace - Purchased from Zulily.

6. Buggy Guard Anti-Theft Stroller Lock - I'll be darned if my new awesome stroller becomes a statistic and gets swiped! This should do the trick.

7. Chompin Chicken Wing Teething Toy - A perfect AppeTEETHER! Oh, the pictures are coming... you can bet on that!

8. Simba Silicome Toothbrush - Baby toothbrush with stopper to keep it from going in too far. I have no idea what "fur clearing" means. Anyone????

9. Pully Palz Paci Hanger - Developmental toy that also helps keep pacifier handy. So cute!

10. Red Monkey Zip Up Hoodie - Baby Starters sale on Zulily.

11. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes - Oh it's on! We have this and #12 below... I'll let you know which Asher prefers after a few weeks of playing with them both.

12. Bright Starts Get Movin' Music Player - So far I like this one better, it has more sounds and the handle is skinnier and easier for Asher to grip. But we will see!

13. Red & Blue Travel Pouch - By Stephen Joseph and purchased from Zulily for keeping baby essentials together while on vaca!

"My mom online shops way too much!" - Baby Asher

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Our "Baby Formula"

I've mentioned before how sensitive our little guy is - his skin, his diaper area, his tummy. We are far from "solving" our little health puzzle, but we have figured out a few things along the way that I hope can help out any other parents struggles with sensitive little ones, as well.

SENSITIVE TUMMY

We have formula fed Asher from Day 1. I know the online community can be a cruel place when it comes to this controversial topic, but please, no judgement or harassment on the subject. :) Why did we decide to formula feed? Well there were a variety of reasons. We basically weighed the pros and cons, and in the end we wanted to choose what would result in the best environment and health for OUR baby in OUR situation. We wanted to ensure the most stress-free household that we could. With our list of pros and cons, formula feeding was the choice that would best achieve this for us. I did my research and read up on both sides and am happy with our decision.

I am aware that certain antibodies found in breastmilk and not not in formula could help with allergies such as those to dairy, etc. Could. This does not mean his allergies are a result of being fed formula. There are lots of breastfed babies who have allergies and sensitivities whose moms have to cut out this that and the other from their diets. Just putting that out there.

Anyways, from day 1 we fed Asher formula. We started with Similac Advance Ready-to-Feed. A few weeks in, he started getting terrible gas during and after feedings, which were every 2-3 hours in the early weeks, so basically always seemed in pain. He also spit up A LOT (sometimes projectile, but not always) and we had to hold him upright after every feeding for almost an hour. We added gas drops to each bottle and this seemed to help with the gas pains. I'd say we were 80% better at most times. Then the ready-to-feed started to get SO expensive. We switched to the powder. Now, doctors swear up and down that there is NO DIFFERENCE. Umm...he would not eat that stuff at first and when he did finally take it, he writhed in pain with or without gas drops. We then tried Similac Senstive. No decrease in pains, increase in reflux. Great. Our doctor suggested Similac Soy. Oh My Gosh. He was like a different baby immediately. He took the whole bottle without mid-feed fussiness and had no grunting and groaning afterwards. He was happy! It must have been a milk allergy (not intolerance, there's a difference)! Now we don't even have to add gas drops. I have only had to use gas drops one time in a month!!! He does have an "earthy" smell to him now... my sister said he smells like birdseed - haha - but that is such a small price to pay for a happy and pain free baby. OH - and the poo!!! On the Advance, he had (sorry, TMI alert!) really watery poo. Now on the soy, it is normal consistency. That says A LOT to me that this was a great choice.

We were doing the whole 'pre-make-32-ounces-of-formula-at-a-time-and-refridgerate' thing, but then found it was much more of a hassle needing to warm every bottle. Now, we make it as we need it with water from the tap. This makes for a happy baby who does not have to wait too long for his food. Hurray!

SENSITIVE SKIN

Weird - when on the ready-to-feed, Asher had baby acne. When we switched to the powder, although he hated it, I swear it seemed to go away. Then on the powder soy, he has it again. :( Maybe it hadn't cleared up and it was in my head. I'm not going to switch him back to find out considering how much better he is now.

Also, his body washes seemed to irritate him. I tried many different kinds. Sensitive washes, fragrance and everything-else-free washes, organic rice milk wash... the only one that I have had success with after who knows how many dollars is the California Baby Super Sensitive Wash. It does stink that he never can smell like those yummy fragranced washes, but again, a small price to pay. His face is not beet red after baths anymore. Baby acne is still a 'sort-of' issue. It just might need time.

DIAPER RASHES

This is summed up by the cloth diaper posts I have made. They have made a world of a difference for us. He still gets a "red crack" - heehee - when he is sitting in his car seat for too long. This is from the heat and the pressure and goes away quickly. We don't have him in it that much.

FOR OTHERS WITH SENSITIVE BABIES OR ALL MOTHERS ALIKE...

Sadly, people have many opinions on what modern mothers do for their children. I'm not saying we have faced this, but lots of us have and will. No mother should ever be "bullied" for making decisions for their children - whether it is to feed her child formula or breast milk, to switch to soy, to cloth diaper, to give her child a pacifier, to potty train at a certain age, or to do away with all fragranced soaps, lotions, and wipes. In the end, all any of us want is a happy healthy baby. No mother makes these choices with anything other than great intentions for the benefit of her child. So if you make decisions for your child that are looked down on by anyone, I hope you remember this if you are ever confronted or made to feel like you are doing something wrong. You are not doing anything wrong. You are just loving and caring for you baby. :)

Actually, no one should ever do or say anything to hurt a new mom who is only doing what is best for her child. New mothers should be cherished - they are most likely going through a trying time and should be made to feel the absolute best about themselves, their baby, and everything else in their lives. With the prevalence of post-partum depression and everything else that may or may not come with the new mom territory, I hope that every new mom gets the respect and love that they need and deserve.

Phew! ;) Now cute pics...

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Cloth Diapering Part 2 - Reviews

We have been cloth diapering full-time for about a week now! The rashes seem to be gone; fingers crossed that we found the solution! Hurray for happy baby booty! 

We've added 7 diapers to our "stash" since my last post on cloth diapering last week. In the picture below from top left: Fuzzibunz one size, Kawaii minky pocket, Grovia hybrid cover, Grovia All-in-One, wet bag from PiggleDee, cookie fitted dipaer from MonkeySnuggles, cars velour fitted from SquirrelNOwl, skull "rockstar" fitted from PoopsieDoodles, cloth wipes from SweetBobbins, and charcoal bamboo inserts. 

I have definitely come to prefer certain brands over others. Here's some of what I have experienced with them all so far, including the rest of the "stash"...


Happy Heinys - Double stuffed for overnight and got 7.5 hours no leaks! We woke to a happy, smiling baby!
Bumgenius 4.0 Pocket - No leaks yet day or night! One of my favorites so far, I tend to reach for these ones. The solid colors are nice when Asher is fully dressed and these are also slim enough to not look silly under clothes.
Charlie Banana - Minimal snaps for sizing, which is nice. No leaks overnight!
FuzziBunz - Extra Slim fit = LOVE Even John commented on how much better this style fits Asher than the others.
Kawaii - This is such a soft diaper and the inserts are so slim and soft and seem to be able to absorb a lot!
Grovia AIO - Some daytime leakage, but it may need to be washed a few more times to "break in" the inserts.
Grovia Hybrid - Velcro laundry tabs STAY DOWN in wash! Hurray! Nice to be able to reuse the cover a few times before throwing in the wash, but sometimes you get spit-up all over it anyways... so I have yet to use that feature, lol!

Velcro is great for quick changes but it's so easy to forget to attach the laundry tabs before washing!! Even if you do remember, sometimes they come apart in the wash anyways and you end up with the velcro sticking the everything. Think torn up inserts, pills on covers...ugghhh! Forget that! Laundry bags can help, but then you have to sort through the dirty diapers... not fun.

Too many snaps are super annoying during changes.

The fitteds I purchased from several shops on Etsy are nice when I want his bum to get some extra air. They would need a cover if you wanted to leave them on for longer than an hour or two. That could get bulky, but they are good for tummy time.

The cloth wipes are working out great, but you definitely need a lot of them! I need like.... 30 more, at least!!!

FAVORITES - Bumgenius 4.0 Pocket Diapers and FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diapers


LAUNDRY ROUTINE  (Every 1-2 days)

I'm happy we recently got an LG HE Top Loader which is supposed to be one of the better options for cloth diaper washing!

• Rinse/Spin Cycle on COLD -- No detergent
• Custom Programmed Cycle - BabyWear, HOT, Water Plus, Extra Rinse -- Detergent (Dreft is OK to use or I just got Mountain Green which is supposed to be one of the best) + BambinoMio Cleanser (every few washes)

And of course, here are some cute pics of Asher in his cloth diaper fashions... :) The majority are from my iPhone, but I a few some nice ones with my Canon, too! There are some where you just see the colorful top poking through and there may even be a few mixed in that don't even show the diapers but are just way too cute to leave out!

All are iPhone pics below...

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Cloth Diapering Part 1

I have been immersed in the world of cloth diapering for the past week and a half - what a whirlwind! There really is a learning curve when you decide to start cloth diapering. There is a whole set of terminology, there are so many different styles, options, systems to choose from, there are big name brands or smaller work-at-home-mom businesses you can support... In addition to all the confusing choices you have to make, you never know which one is going to work best for your child until you try it out, so technically its best to start slow, but to full-time cloth diaper you need a pretty good stash to avoid having to do laundry several times a day. If you're fighting recurring diaper rashes in the meantime, it's not easy to slap on a disposable diaper knowing that it is just going to make the rash worse, so you want to have enough in that regard... Phew! Goodness gracious!

WHY CLOTH DIAPER?

1. DIAPER RASHES: For us (yes, us, dear husband! haha), the decision to switch to cloth was initiated by mild, recurring diaper rashes. No matter how often we changed, we were constantly battling annoying rashes. Could it have been the brand or type of diaper? Could it have been the brand or type of wipes? Could a different rash cream have helped? Yes, yes, and yes; but I think we would have driven ourselves absolutely crazy experimenting with brand after brand. The simplest option in my eyes was to eliminate all of the variables and start with a fresh, clean, chemical-free slate.

2. SAVE $$$: The initial investment is pretty hefty for cloth diapering. You need quite a bit of gear to get started. But after your "stash" is built, the savings can be amazing. Here's an example of what's needed to get started:

• Pail liner or laundry wet bag
• Small wet bags for on-the-go
• Cloth-diaper-safe laundry detergent
• Optional laundry sanitizer
• At least 15-25 cloth diapers (give or take depending on how often you plan on doing laundry) 
• Extra inserts, doublers, liners
• Cloth wipes and wipe solution or oils (Cloth wipes sound gross but actually make more sense if cloth diapering. You don't have to separate two piles during your change, you just throw everything in the wet bag or pail together!)

Our "stash" so far... waiting on 3 or 4 more to come in! We have BumGenius 4.0, Charlie Banana, Happy Heinys, Bumpkins, Bummis, Thirsties, Kushies, gDiapers, and several from Etsy!

Goodbye cute baskets :(  ...but hello colorful stacks of diapers! :)

For now, we're hanging the pail liner. If it gets too heavy, we'll get a pail! :)

Because of the sensitive little booty we have on our hands, let's say we started using one of the brands that are free of dyes, fragrances, chemicals, chlorine, etc. That's $0.50 per diaper. If we are at 6 diapers per day, that's over $1000/year until potty training; not to mention the cost of endless diaper rash creams, wipes, etc. And if you reuse the diapers with additional children down the road...

Here's a good breakdown I found of the various options and their costs.

There's no place around here (that I know of) that sells any cloth diapering supplies, so I've had to order everything online. I haven't even received all of our gear in the mail yet, so we are currently part-time cloth diapering. That said, my experience with it thus far is limited and I'm sure in a few weeks my opinions on which brand I like best, etc., will change. And change. And perhaps change again. :)

3. THE SUPER CUTE-NESS!!! Oh my gosh - cloth diapers are so much cuter and photogenic than any disposable diaper. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from and also, they get the funniest "fluff butt" from all the extra padding. So adorable.

Grovia - All-In-One Diaper

Pocket Diaper purchased from Etsy shop Lil Impressions

Diaper cover purchased from Etsy shop Counting the Blessings

gDiaper from Diapers.com

If anyone out there wants to know more about cloth diapering and doesn't quite know where to begin, I found some great videos that help explain confusing cloth diapering - from the different styles to the laundering process. I'm trying to get John to watch and learn... ;)

Cloth Diapering for Beginners
All About Poop & Cloth Diapers :)
Types of Cloth Diapers
How to Wash Cloth Diapers

Once I've had some time to try out the different brands and to get the hang of cloth diapering, I'll be posting an update on what we like best, any tips I've come up with for the whole process, etc. Fingers crossed for a successful migration to cloth! (& a happy booty!)

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The Trouble With Tummy Time

Well, I came down with an awful sinus infection - again! Hopefully it's not the flu and the antibiotics that I have knock it out quickly. Sadly, I am avoiding too much contact with baby Asher because I really don't want to get him sick! It's incredibly hard not to snuggle with your little baby when he's looking up at you with the sweetest eyes! This has left me with more time than usual to edit pictures, so I have lots of them today! In my feverish state, I think I made some really good edits (unless I'm so out of it that they just look great right now...) - hopefully I can replicate these effects in the future! Haha. Anyways, on to today's topic...

Tummy time is so important. It helps with physical, cognitive and visual development, and helps prevent problems such as flat head syndrome. It strengthens the upper body and aids in sitting up, crawling and walking... But it can also be a challenge! When using our activity gym/play mat to have "tummy time" with Asher, I was left frustrated and felt like something was missing. While on his tummy, Asher obviously was not looking up at the hanging toys, and the arches made it difficult for me to interact with him. He got fussy after just a few minutes and I could understand why. That did not look fun at all! We weren't nearly getting in enough tummy time and were starting to notice a slight flat head starting to form! :( So, I started the search for a better way.

Asher in his Rock & Play with a flat head preventing cushion beneath him. Just say no to flat head!

I found a great play mat from Tiny Love, the Super Mat, that was large enough for me and John to both sit and play with Asher. Like I've mentioned before, we have 2 pugs, and they shed SO MUCH so I have not wanted to put Asher down on our bare rug and blankets just don't seem to provide enough cushioning. Then, I read great reviews on the Tummy Time Triangle from Infantino. I bought both and was ecstatic when the play mat and tummy triangle arrived a few days ago. I had no idea what a success both of these purchases would turn out to be!

The play mat has been such a wonderful addition to playtime. We now can much more easily play with Asher, and that makes it worth every penny alone. He practices rolling over, I lay with him and hold up high contrast flash cards, he laughs and smiles like crazy...! It's great!

Striped onesie from Gymboree - a gift from my mom! He looks so cute in it. He's such a big boy!

Asher instantly was entranced while on the tummy triangle. He stared at himself in the mirror for what seemed like 10 minutes! Now he stares at the little plush bee, as well. We were both shocked at how long he could hold this position with his head and chest so far off the ground. He was so steady, too! We get in a good hour per day of tummy time, at least, and even more play time now that we have these items. He is even sleeping more now since he is getting more interactive play while awake. Our morning routine is starting to become more regular - wake between 7-9am, eat, play, then nap begins about 2 hours later. Before, his naps were still pretty sporadic and there wasn't much rhythm going on. I really think this has made a difference so far. Another perk - the colorful mat makes for some great pics, too!

This striped sleeper is from a Carter's set.

Asher is wearing L'ovedbaby pants and a striped onesie from BabyGap. I see a theme in how I dress him...

I think we're gonna be able to roll over very soon!

Warning - overstimulation may occur! Nap time may be necessary. :)

Suki knows just how to comfort Asher.

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Asher's Preppy/Eclectic Nursery

I love to decorate! When I realized that I would be able to design a nursery, I was more than ecstatic. I searched for hours online compiling ideas. Do we want espresso furniture or white furniture? Would white work for a boy? What should the color palate be; blues, greens, both? Should it be modern or vintage? I probably drove both my husband and my mother completely crazy while I bombarded them with these questions and more, seeking their opinions and running idea after idea by them.

{This picture was taken by my mom in our nursery just days before Asher was born!}

We finally decided light blues and whites and my husband got to work creating wainscoting trim for the walls. He enjoys a challenge and wasted no time figuring out how to make the trim using the machines in our shop. My father-in-law helped him install them as well as the laminate wood flooring. It was starting to look like a real nursery!

I found this great rug on overstock.com. We knew all along that whatever the theme was, it would have something to do with water as my husband is an avid offshore fisherman. I thought that this rug had a nice motion to it reminiscent of the ocean.

Our pugs, Suki (top) and Sumo (bottom) thought this room was being made for them, clearly.
At least they approved the rug! ;)

We finally picked out espresso furniture that perfectly accented the white trim and subtle blue walls. I printed these vintage sea life graphics and put them in matted frames. The theme was coming to life!

I crafted a decoupage piece utilizing our maternity pictures and ultrasound images. It was so easy and is something we constantly get compliments on. Directions below!

***CRAFT*** Decoupage Maternity/Ultrasound Plaque - All you need is a piece of wood and some mod podge. You print the pictures on normal printer paper, apply a thin layer of mod podge, spray with a clear sealant (so that ink doesn't run) then apply another layer of mod lodge on top. Let dry and that's it!***CRAFT***

I found the wall cubby on overstock.com, too, and also the small bookcase with veggie tray at the bottom.

As owners of an Etsy shop, it was important to us to support other sellers and incorporate some of the unique items available into the room. The hanging ombre mobile, dry erase magnetic wall calendar, chevron rail guards, and chevron teddy bear (a gift from my mom) were all found on Etsy.

We cut the name out at our shop and placed the letters on a shelf bought on EBay. For more info on letters like this, send me a message through our shop!

Finally the nursery was complete! I have to admit, I was impressed with how well it all came together in the end. There's often a moment when you are in the middle of a project such as this and you start wondering if it's just going to come out all wrong. Luckily this was not the case - we absolutely love it and Asher does, too! ;) Pin It Now!