My New Top Five
1) Nikon D60 (or any DSLR camera) -- I will never go to a photo studio again to get pics of my kids. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my camera and swear it was the best purchase I have ever made. I really feel like I have some awesome, frame-able pics of my kids, thanks to this camera.
2) Summer Day and Night Handheld Monitor -- I recommend this to everyone I know who is having a baby. Most of them have the same reaction that I initially did -- "they're so expensive!! I don't really need all that video stuff ... " Oh, but you do! You really really do! Especially down the road, when it's time to start letting your baby cry it out, or when you first move your toddler to a big boy bed. We even take them with us when we go visit the grandparents, or on vacation, etc. I wonder sometimes -- at what age do we have to take the cameras out of their rooms ... 18??
3) Baby Bjorn -- I'm going to be honest here. I barely used this for Tanner. But, with two, things are completely different and Landon usually finds himself in the Bjorn several times each day. Mine currently needs to be washed so badly but I don't want to go without it for the time it takes to wash it and then hang it up to dry. That's how much I love this thing. Landon is fast approaching the weight/height limit, though, so I'm thinking about getting another style of carrier to tote him around in. Any recommendations?
4) Exersaucer and Activity Gym -- think you might want to do dishes? Or check your email? Or just set your baby down for a few minutes? There will be a time when the swing or bouncy seat just isn't enough to keep your little one content and entertained. And in my case ... contained -- we've already had to put our swing back in storage because Landon has outgrown it! Once your baby is strong enough to put in the exersaucer, a whole new world opens up for them! They LOVE it! And the activity gym is an awesome precursor to the exersaucer. I don't know what I'd do without them!
5) Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover -- makes nursing in public no big deal. Which makes me think I can go anywhere, at anytime. (If I don't have a toddler to contain while I sit down and nurse, that is!)
A Few More Really Cool Things
Tiny Diner Dinner Mat
Tiny Diner Dinner Mat
Snack Traps
Things I Wish I Wouldn't Have Bothered With
1) Diaper Genie/Diaper Champ -- the diaper genie uses refills that cost close to $7 each. The diaper champ just stinks. Period. I've found the best thing to do is put all of the diapers from one day in a plastic grocery sack and just throw it out at the end of the day. Oh yeah ... and that's free! I actually find that the trash can w/lid that we use for our cloth diapers contains smells just as nicely as the diaper genie. I just make sure to lysol it whenever I launder the diapers.
2) High Chair -- If there was one big priced item you would like to go without, have it be your high chair. It takes up so much space and a booster seat pulled up to your table is just as effective!
3) Hotsling -- It was just awkward. I used it once. No wonder there are so many for sale on eBay.
3) Hotsling -- It was just awkward. I used it once. No wonder there are so many for sale on eBay.
What About B.O.B.?
I still pink puffy heart B.O.B. I mean -- he's really like a member of our family. Jon, Rachel, Tanner, Landon, and BOB. He's the reason we bought a bigger car, for goodness sakes! Could I live without him? I suppose. But, gosh, he makes our (attempts at) jogging so much easier and our outings so much more fun!!
6 comments:
Love it! and many of your favorites are also mine too! The only one we don't have is the video monitor, but that's bc they were not very big at the time we bought ours almost 5 years ago! I've thought about splurging on one since and then there's always something else to buy!
As far as other baby carriers for a larger boy, I've heard rave reviews about Ergo carriers. Lots of baby-wearer friends of mine (and a few of the Builders) swear by them. I've also been tempted to try one, but never have taken the plunge!
And I'm so glad you pink puffy heart the BOB bc I pink puffy heart ours too! Just had it out today, toting baby #3 while the other two rode bikes. You better believe I had child #2 in seat #2 on the way home and the tricycle mounted on top of the handlebars. LOVE BOB!
Ditto on the high chair. I hate mine (it was a gift from the MIL or I'd sell it).
I don't have the Bob, but we have the chariot and it is some of the best spent money EVER. It lets us get out so much. I just don't like the take down process (the BOB is better at this).
Baby carrier....I have the ERgo and like it. The only downside is it isn't front facing. But Jackson still sleeps on my chest if we're out and about and he's sleepy. My friend has the Moby and swears by it. Keep your eye out for both....or try and find a "hip" baby store that has them all so you can try 'em out.
And also ditton the genie. I think we used ours until the bags it came with were out....then we just used the garbage can. And like you with the cloth and garbage can.
I'd also add...for baby baths....get the baby bath from Ikea (if they near one) and add in the $5 dollar bath sling thing that sits on the bottom of the tub. I liked it a whole lot better than the regular 'ol tubs.
Man, I'm still itchin to get that camera. I must have it!!
And I pink puffy heart the video monitor! I'm so glad you talked me into it when we were registering for our baby items. Just the other day, we were able to catch Grady trying to climb over the side of the crib. B-man got there just in time, and we've now lowered the mattress as low as it will go.
Hi Rachel,
First, I want to let you know that whenever I need to smile, I always visit your blog. It gives me such a warm, fuzzy feeling!
The Ergo sling is my new fave. I can't believe I waited 6 kids to get one. I carry baby L in it all the time and can even carry the 2 yo and 4 yo! It's worth every bit of $105.
And, I love my mini-van, too. We had to get an SUV to fit the whole family, but we still have our mini-van!
--Gena
Hi Rachel! I love reading your faves! I have been rslinksesearching wraps/slings and I decided on the Moby wrap... its' $40 so I also looked online and found some different sites to make your own, so I think I am going to try that. It is literally 5 yards of fabric that you just tie a bunch of different ways for a variety of positions. People have even posted videos on youtube on how to use the wrap in different ways. One girl even showed hands free nursing while she was walking around!! Sounds good!
I also think the ERGO is amazing! My husband and I only regret that we didn't buy it sooner. It has been worth every single penny we paid for it. I use it often and it was GOLD on flights with my baby. I strapped him in, put on the sleep hood, bounced him aruond and he was out...and my hands were free to read my magazine, eat pretzels, whatever!
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