My Favorite Baby Gear

I cannot believe that Jones will be 6 weeks old on Wednesday.  The past 6 weeks have flown by and have been filled with amazing highs and unbelievable exhaustion, but mostly a growing respect for mothers everywhere, especially single ones.

Anyway, over these 6 short weeks as a mother, I have already come to love certain baby products and items, and I thought I would share with you my current list of must-haves for a newborn: 

1. Kimono-style onesies.  My favorite onesie BY FAR is a kimono-style.  Not only are these onesies sooo much easier to get on Jones--they snap up the front rather than go over his head--but I also think they are cuter.  I don't know, there's just something kinda stylish about them, don't you think?  And my favorite of the kimono-style that we have is Kate Quinn Organics.  I love the color combinations and the simple prints, and they come in short or long-sleeve!  You can buy them locally at KD's Treehouse, or watch for sales on sites like Zulily.com...I just bought 2 for $9 each!! 

image via here

image via here

2. Aden + Anais swaddler blankets.  These can be found lots of places all of a sudden--Target, Buy Buy Baby, or on-line.  They are very large blankets, perfect for swaddling, and made of muslin, so they are very breathable and soft and perfect for baby.  Not to mention, they come in tons of stylish prints.

image via here

image via here

3. The Woombie.    I read about this item on a blog long before I had Jones and I bought one and let my sister try it out on her new baby, Taylor.  Well, after one night, she was sold.  Taylor slept in the Woombie until he could roll over, and now we're using it with Jones.  The website describes the Woombie: " The Woombie comforts, softly confines arms & gently compresses baby's unique curves to hug baby... preventing Startling issues, face scratching, overheating and also preventing dangerous loose unraveled blankets from covering baby's face."  We love it so far.

image via here

4. My Brest Friend.  Hokey name, essential breast-feeding accoutrement.  Better than the Boppy for newborns because the pillow actually latches around your body and it's adjustable--baby rests on the pillow and mom's hands are free.  Seriously makes breast-feeding a lot easier.

image via here

5. The Oball Rattle by Rhino Toys, Inc.  This item was a gift, and Jones loves it.  Not sure what it is, but it is by far his favorite toy to gaze at while he lies on his playmat.

image via here

6. Serena & Lily sling.  Jones loves sleeping in this thing, and we'll be able to use it for months to come...see the picture below of an older baby in the sling.  I read a study recently that indicated that "worn babies" can learn more from their environment because they are secure in knowing that they are attached to a 
parent and needn't continually look around for a familiar face.  I intend to "wear" Jones as much as possible :)

image via here

So, that's it for now.  I will update this list with more of my baby must-haves as we go along.  What are your favorite baby products?

XO

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Handmade Baby Stuff

As much as I wish I were a talented sewer and knitter, and that these arts came easily for me, alas that is simply not the case.  But that does not stop me from trying anyway!  With help from more talented friends and family, I have managed to produce a few items for the baby that are quite cute, if I do say so myself.

The hand-knitted baby blanket that I have been working on for a few months, (I am a very slow knitter!), is mere days away from being complete--pictures soon!  And the items below I just finished working on with my mom last weekend.  (My mother is an insanely talented sewer and crafter--she made so many of my and my sister's clothes when we were children.  I am trying my best to learn from her so I can do the same).

Here is the baby bib that we made from some vintage fabric that I thrifted years ago:

And here is the baby gown that I made from one of James' old t-shirts.  Pattern found here.

The gown was a little more difficult than the bib--mom helped a lot.  But, I'm a novice, so for anyone who has some sewing skills, the gown would be a breeze.  The pattern calls for using elastic at the bottom, but my sister (who has 2 babies) suggested a drawstring, as elastic is too easy for the baby to poke his tiny legs out of.  With a drawstring, (we used satin brown ribbon), you can tie his legs up in the gown!

Mom and I have 2 more gowns we're going to make this weekend from James' "I'm a Keeper" t-shirt and his "I Pass on Grass" t-shirt :)

And, just because I love this picture...here are my babies gazing out our front door at the snow a couple weeks ago.  Peach and Abby definitely know that Jones is on the way soon and they are not sure how they feel about it...we're trying to give them lots of love and attention now.  I honestly think they'll be fine and grow to love the baby, but we'll see.  (Only 3 weeks left until my due date!)

I'm planning to go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse this weekend to take advantage of their Restaurant Week special menu and I have another baby shower tomorrow-fun!  What are your weekend plans?

XO, Becca

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