Since my time in babyhood is coming to a fast close and since I have several friends who are having babies (some for the first time), I’d thought I’d share my favorite baby stuff and what I deem baby essentials, along with comments about why I love these items. I originally wanted to do ten but all I could come up with were 8. I’m sure I forgot something but here it is for whoever needs it!

1. SwaddleMe Blanket-this blanket is the cheaper version of a miracle blanket. It has velcro and a sack to put the babies feet in. The velcro wraps the baby up in a swaddle that keeps them nice and secure. This can also be found in baby superstores. A definite must for fussy babies or babies who like to be wrapped tight.
2. Baby sling or Hip Hammock-when you need your hands free or you just want to carry them around all day. I used the hip hammock with Liam because I didn’t feel comfortable sitting him on my hip in the sling. I finally figured our how to use the hip carry with the sling for Josiah and I love it. My favorite sling is the ring sling, but there are a variety of ways to wear your baby. Check out The Baby Wearer for more info on them!
3. Boppy-nursing moms will get a lot of use out of this pillow for arm rests or if your baby prefers the “football” hold. It’s also great for sitting up practice (something to fall on) and for belly time.
4. Nursing cover, hooter hider (go ahead and laugh, you know you want to), or bosom buddy-These are awesome covers with nylon boning in them so mom can peek at the baby while eating without the whole world knowing. It’s a great modest way to nurse your baby without having to sit on a dirty toilet or hide like you’re doing something shameful. They are also very stylish. You can buy these online or make them or let me know and I’ll make you one.
5. The Bobby Swing-okay for people who lack space to store all the baby equipment out, this is awesome. It’s a travel along swing. It doesn’t slow down no matter what the weight and this is great if your baby likes to go high and fast (which Josiah loves). It cushions the baby great. The legs fold up easily and the seat folds up and snaps. My only issue is that the legs can pop out when you move it. There’s no way to secure them from doing that. And, keep in mind that not all babies are swing babies. But, for the price (cheaper than one of those fancy bulky swings), it’s worth a try.
6. SnuggleNest-this one’s for parents who want their babies to sleep with them but want to do it safely. We found this with Liam and wanted it because of his reflux. He would wake up choking and coughing and it was nice to have him so close that we could sit him up or just lay a hand on him. Josiah, “the big boy,” did not stay in it long, but it was great while it lasted. It folds up nicely for travel too. I just saw that they make one that inclines…again great for reflux babies.
7. Travel bouncy seat-for people on the go this is a must. The one we have was made by Summer. It’s a almost no frills bouncy. But it’s also about 2/3 the price of those frilly huge bulky ones. This one holds baby, has three toys, and folds up flat and fast for easy travel. It also has it’s own carry bag which makes it easier to carry. There’s music and a vibrator on it. Josiah loves it. Keep in mind, when purchasing these things, there is no need to buy one with a ton of toys…they’re babies and can get easily over stimulated. We always look for functionality before fashion!
8. Diaper Champ-uses regular trash bags you don’t have to buy refills, virtually eliminates all diaper odor and now, they’ve made it accomodating for cloth diapers with a wider opening! I wish they had that when we started using cloth diapers. There are just so many great things about this diaper pail!

Apparently, the word is out in church nursery that if Josiah is fussy, just throw him in that “thing” to get him quiet. That thing is the sling. And it’s worked. I’ll walk in and find really dedicated volunteers from young and old trying to figure out how to put it on and put him in it. And when they get him in it, he’s quiet, content and goes to sleep.

The funny thing is I hardly use it now unless we’re out and about and I need two hands. But, I guess it just gives him that peace in the craziness of the nursery. I’m very grateful that there are volunteers who are willing to take care of my baby and do whatever it takes to get him quiet.

More on the Reunion/MOPS and life in general to come!!!

Since I feel generally yucky, and I don’t have all my wits about me (sinuses, allergy, cold…who knows), I thought I would post on our cloth diapering adventure. For those who are curious read on…

When Zoe was in diapers, we put her in good old disposable diapers…not the expensive ones, but the cheap brand from Wal-Mart. I liked them, they worked good, no problem.

Then when I was pregnant with Ace, a friend who was also pregnant, told me she was going to use cloth diapers. I thought she was crazy!! But I decided it wouldn’t hurt to do a little research. Now, I’m all about saving some money so I googled cloth diapers online and started comparing costs for diapers. I wound up at DiaperPin and found a great little calculator that determined my costs, etc for cloth versus disposable. I just punched in the numbers and added in all my costs with Josiah’s diapers and we’ll break even in less than 10 months and save over $300 in a year and a half…now, considering that the average toddler potty trains at 2 1/2 to 3, we’re raking in a big savings!!

I was sold…but I wasn’t about to stick my hand in a toilet or use my child to practice voodoo (sticking pins on/in them). So I did more research and found that I could buy diapers with snaps or velcro already on them. What’s more…I could buy diapers that would last from newborn to potty training! Wow! I got really excited. Our first diaper purchases were Little Lambs One Size All in One Diapers. Now these were/are a bit confusing for family and friends to use but they picked up on it. There were snaps in the back to adjust the fit and then an insert that snapped in to help absorb the…well, you know.

Those were great but Liam was a wiggler and trying to snap his diaper four times (two snaps on each side) got me to thinking about getting Josiah diapers with velcro. Just in case he was a wiggler too. I did more research (thanks Google!) and found four different diapers to try. These diapers were mostly what was called “pocket” diapers. They worked by stuffing an insert into the diaper in the back or some other area to absorb the…you know what. The inserts have to be pulled out, which isn’t as bad as I thought, before they are washed. We settled on ones that kept Liam dry all night long with just one insert in them. They are the bumgenius diapers that Josiah is modeling in his two month pics! They are wonderful and easy to clean. We keep an extra insert in the diapers overnight but that’s not too hard.

Oh, and as for the toilet dumping, we actually purchased what is called a mini-bidet or mini-shower that attaches to the toilet and use that to spray the…ahhhemm…off.

If you’re interested in cloth diapering, Diaper Pin has a wealth of information and product reviews. I have to say that my mom thought I was crazy for using cloth diapers and thought I wouldn’t stick with it. She refused to even change one of Liam or Ace’s diapers. However, this weekend, I threw her one of Josiah’s to get him changed and ready to go and she had no problem with it…except that she started to put in on backwards…but to her credit, it’s been a long time since she’s changed a diaper, disposable or otherwise.

Oh, and other benefits…none of my kids have really dealt with bad diaper rash…we’re saving the environment…and their diapers are kind of like a fashion accessory…except that they’re boys and boys don’t have fashion accessories…okay, scratch the last benefit.

I guess I’m goofy when I’m sick.

Zoe and Ace (and Liam, Josiah, and me) took a field trip to do a nature walk at a local interpretive park in our area. It was a preschool walk, and I’ve never seen soooo many mama’s wearing their babies. I guess it’s all the latest rage! A few of the moms had pouches, one had a wrap, and I had my sling…how fun!

it keeps my hands free! I’ve used the ring slings with all my children. It’s great and keeps them sooo comfy. I started making slings with Josiah and now I am working on selling them. However, I would love to try a wrap. Josiah loves his sling and will not sleep in the morning without being in it. He’s comfy and I can work with the other kids while I wear him.

Interested in receiving a free wrap?! Enter the contest here: When 2 became 3