Colder Weather

It has been down in the 20s for most of the week, and we are bundling layers on layers to venture outside. Most of the snow we got melted before the freeze, but parts of my commute are still through snow dusted trees and it adds a sort of magic to having to drive to work in the dark and drive home in the dark.

Keeping a toddler warm is not an easy task as she delights in ripping off hats, mittens, shoes, blankets.  These have been our favorites since about September, but more than ever now with the added chill.

Mittens that really stay on, Bogg boots (fleece lined, and waterproof!), Carters fleece pjs (I was a late convert to these since I prefer natural fiber in general, but these are just so good. K is crazy about this set because they have monkeys on them), and the JJ Cole Bundle Me Toddler – so, so, so good for the stroller. We zip the top part off as a blanket in the car seat for really cold days.

Working on

 

 

 

Bunny  -  Elephant  -  Necklace  -  Diamond  -  Camera  -  Ring  -  Dolls

 

 

Teething has been in full swing around here for almost three months now, but no teeth are showing yet. These are  few of our favorite teethers, and some cute ones that are on the wish list. 

Winter Things

 

I've been eyeing the Winter Ergo for awhile and it just got marked down on Amazon. The times we've gone up to the mountains or on cold day walks the traditional Ergo and Solly haven't felt warm enough even with lots of layers, so I decided to try it. Ergos go for about this price on craigslist where we live, so I figured if it doesn't work out we can pass it on to someone else.

I love this knit pattern quilt at West Elm (on sale!) - I ordered the white one but I wish I could get every color. As a long time knitter and novice quilter, this is basically the best.

This robe was a Christmas gift from my mom and it is so luxurious and wonderful. She found it marked down to half price at Costco.

We love this sheepy for playtime and supervised naps - the Bowron version is from New Zealand and specifically meant for babies with no preservatives or flame retardants. We have this blanket in brown from a family friend of my husband's and love it. These little booties look so cozy. Since they would work for a boy or girl, I might just justify them as lasting through multiple children.

This candle is what makes Anthropologie stores smell so good. I can't justify getting one at almost $30, but it is on my covet list.

Four & Five Month Favorites

Raspberry Teether  -  Munchkin Feeders  -  Lamb  -  Baby Bjorn Bouncer  -  Bibs  -  Music Toy

Most of our four and five month favorites are teething related (no surprise here), but we also picked up this bouncy seat which she really enjoys. We got the red one, but I love the black and grey too.

At five months, K has learned how to move herself around by rolling over repeatedly in the same direction and is now a semi-mobile baby, which I am not entirely prepared for.  We discovered this about a week before Christmas when I set her down on her play mat with some soft toys, made sure she had room on all sides just in case, and tuned my back to do the dishes (our apartment is tiny, so this involved moving about 6 feet away to the kitchen). I listened to her happily playing for about 15 minutes of washing up, then came back and she was cooing happily, three feet away from her mat. I don’t leave her alone anymore but have tested her rolling abilities by putting a toy out of her reach on either side, and given a few minutes she will roll over several times until she can reach it.

She is just starting to experiment with cause and effect too – yesterday was the first time I felt like she was throwing a toy on purpose to watch it fall. She had her rattle, the dropped it and watched it hit the ground. I picked it up and handed it back to her, and she did it again – about 20 times.

I got her this baby radio toy, which she loves. I usually don't go for musical toys, but this one is not obnoxious like many and seemed like the right level of stimulation without overdoing it. Sometimes she even pushes the button herself. On Wednesday night we were playing in the living room and Geoff put some music on his phone.  K looked up and whipped her head around, seeming like she was looking for something, then spotted her music toy and stared at it intently, then pushed at it until she hit the button. It has been awhile since we played music and I think she heard it and made the connection that music comes from her toy – it was so cute.

And because we have fussy times too - a few more favorite things: 10 hours of Waterfall, 10 hours of Rain, Washing Machine.  Mamas with fussy, teething babies - I know you get me.

Reading Lately

 The Twelve Days of Christmas   -   The Polar Express   -   The Mitten

Winter Story   -   The Night Before Christmas   -   The Christmas Day Kitten
Bear Stays Up For Christmas   -   The Animals Santa   -   Trouble With Trolls

Little Gifts - Part II

Most of the girl and boy ideas are interchangeable, but I still couldn't resist doing a boyish stocking too.

Rubber Teether - CaaOcho Baby   /   Fox Bib - Milk Barn   /   Natural Rubber Pacifier - Natursutten

Giraffe Soothie - Wubanub   /   Pom-Pom Hat - H&M   /  Sleepy - Wakey Deer - Maileg

Rainbow Clutching Toy - Oompa   /   First Christmas 2015 Ornament - Land of Nod

Sock Set - H&M   /   Oball - Amazon   /   Softie Book - Ikea

Little Gifts

We won't be breaking out the Christmas decorations or music until after Thanksgiving, but with less than 6 weeks left until Christmas I am getting excited for our first with our baby girl!  These are some of my favorite things for baby's first stocking.



 

Knot Headband - June and January   /   Bashful Schnauzer - Jellycat   /   Radish Rattle - Maileg

Socks - H&M   /   Kitty Rattles - Ikea   /   Raccoon Finger Puppet - Magic Cabin 

First Christmas 2015 Ornament - Land of Nod   /   Soothies - Amazon   /   Grasping Toy - Oompa

Lela Deer - Lassig   /   Tights - H&M

Month Three

My favorites for this month are mostly more practical than fun. We had such a terrible time with reflux and hours of crying from 6-10 weeks that any little thing we introduced that seemed to help has been the very greatest.



1. Infant Probiotics - These were prescribed by her pediatrician for reflux/gas/fussiness and I really do think they made a difference after about a week. We give her 1/4 teaspoon a day per the pediatrician.

2. DGL - Also recommended by the pediatrician - this is like giving baby gripe water, but through mama's milk. I take 4-6 a day. They are chews made from ground licorice root, and while not candy, if you like licorice they are delicious.

3. Weleda Baby Wash - This smells so good: lavender and calendula.

4. Ocean Play Mat - I love having a play mat with a nature theme, and this is one of my favorite backdrops for pictures too.

5. Nosefreida - Reflux caused near constant stuffiness for a whole month and this really helped clear her airways.

6. Lansinoh Lanolin - This stuff is so useful - perfect for its marketed use, also great for chapped lips and diaper rash. We have multiple tubes for different uses.

7. H&M Baby Tights - Tights are so cute and practical for babies. Socks fall off incessantly, and now that it's colder these layer perfectly under pants for an extra layer. They are also adorable under any onesie for a look only a baby can pull off.

Month Two

1. Soothie - She accepted this the first time on our trip to the coast and has been enjoying it since, mostly at bed time. It helps keep her occupied while laying in her bassinette awake. She used to cry if awake and laying down, but now will soothe herself back to sleep a lot of the time.

2. Baby Jogger City Mini GT - We LOVE this stroller. It is very maneuverable, light, and the GT upgrade is the perfect choice for us and our walks on gravel paths, grass and boardwalks with added traction and improved suspension.  

3. Jaques the Peacock - One of the few toys that holds her attention. She will happily stare at the colored front and black and white back.

4. Car Mirror - So important for safety to be able to check on baby in the car.

5. H&M Footie Pants - These are the best pants - they fit perfectly, the feet stay on through kicking and squirming, they are organic, and $13 for two.

6. Sleep Sheep - Most white noise keeps me up, but the tracks on this one are very short (2-12 seconds, repeat). We like heartbeat and whale sounds the best. For travel, you can just remove the sound portion (about the size of a deck of cards).

7. Sassy Rattle - One of her favorite toys.

8. Angel Baby Lotion - Vanilla and orange, so yummy!

Month One

It is hard to believe it has almost been a month with our girl already! We savor every moment, but the time passes so quickly. Every day has been a little different from the last, but a few of our favorites (and her favorites) have been consistent.

1. Solly Baby Wrap - Wearing her in a wrap is one of the best ways to settle her and get things done and this one is my favorite. It is so soft and lightweight - perfect for a summer baby - but also feels very strong and secure. It holds in place so well you can't adjust it once it is on - but it only took a few tries to learn how tight to tie it to get the perfect fit. This goes everywhere with us.

2. Snugabunny Swing - She won't take the swing over being held very often, but when she does this is so useful to have some time to get something done. This gets about 20 minutes to two hours (if she takes a nap in it) of use a day. We have it in the living room so we can keep an eye on her while she's in it.

3. Zip Up Sleepers - Sleepers with a zipper are great for the beginning when you are sleep deprived and recovering, and for at night when you try to stealth-change diapers to keep the baby sleepy after feeing before going back to bed.

4. Wide Straws - Having extra wide straws actually helps me drink more water, and they are perfect for smoothies too. These ones from Ikea are my favorite.

5. Easy Snacks - Fast easy food is so helpful - I keep Luna bars, nuts and fruit on hand for times when a meal isn't feasible (which is most of the time).

6. Aden + Anais Muslin Blankets - The bamboo rayon version of these is so soft and luxurious. This set has had so much use already and is holding up great. I love the simple prints that aren't too babyish.

7. Halo Bassinest - I don't know what we would do without this. Having her right next to me in bed where I can see her and reach her but she is safely in her own area has helped us all get more sleep. The Bassinest swivels to the side and out of the way so easily it doesn't wake her up to move it.

8.  Gaiam Yoga Ball - This is a must have, and our baby's favorite thing in the world besides people. Holding her and bouncing on the ball will settle her when nothing else will. We use this for hours a day. Also great for pregnancy, early labor and can be used for workouts post pregnancy too.