Wow, can you believe Lilly is almost three months old? Everyone told us that time flies by when you have a baby, but I didn't really believe it until now. I feel like I blinked and she's turned into an infant, no longer a newborn! It honestly feels like it was just yesterday that I was calling Mark to tell him that my water broke and he needed to come home!
When I started this blog, I had every intention of posting regularly even after Baby T arrived... but wouldn't you know, life happened. I feel like the last two months flew by in a blur, and I didn't want to miss a single second of Lilly's first 12 weeks, and I just couldn't ever find the time to sit down and write a post! But hopefully now we're getting into more of a routine, it will be easier to post a few times a month. Anyway, enough with the excuses, let's get down to business and talk about our monthly favorites! I'll try to post these every month when I put up Lilly's monthly pictures!
One Month Favorites
1. My Little Snugabunny Swing
This was a life saver for us when we first got home with Lilly. She loves to be held and moved around and obviously we couldn't always do that. Putting her in the swing allowed us to cook and eat dinner together more often than if we didn't have the swing. And then, once Mark was back to work and my family wasn't coming up to help out, it allowed mommy to put Lilly down long enough to shower!
2. aden+anais muslin swaddle blankets
These were great because as Lilly got bigger we couldn't use the hospital receiving blankets anymore. They're super lightweight, so I didn't feel bad about putting her in a onesie, sleep sack, and then swaddling her. They're also super stretchy so you can wrap up your little babe as tight as a burrito and they stay put! Also great for using as a background for taking pictures (the plain white ones).
3. My Brest Friend nursing pillow
I wasn't originally going to register for this one until we took our breastfeeding class. The lactation consultant pointed out how awesome it was and I have to agree! It stays put thanks to the buckle, has great back support, and gives you the ability to use your hands. Let's face it, nursing 8-12 times a day for 20+ minutes is a lot, and sometimes you just want to be able to read a book, play some games, or channel surf.
4. Graco Pack'n'Play with Newborn Napper
Another life saver! This was great for us because I didn't want to spend money on a bassinet on it's own for something we would only use for a few months. This version has more than paid for itself. The newborn napper is amazing - Lilly still sleeps in it. The changing table makes it super easy for those late night feedings and diaper changes, and I LOVE the vibration on it. One tip - stock up on batteries for it, and get the product replacement plan. The vibration can go out and Babies R Us gave us money for a brand new one. I know this is something that we will be able to use for years to come.
5. Advent Soothie Pacifier
I originally didn't want Lilly to get a pacifier in the hospital since I am breastfeeding, and I was worried about nipple confusion, but she didn't have any confusion at all. This was the one that we got from the hospital and we love it. I love that it's all one piece and can't come apart (and then be choked on!) so I don't have to worry about giving it to her at nap and bedtime. It's also super easy to clean. They come in green, blue, pink and purple.
6. Lansinoh Soothie Gel Pads
These are amazing. Pop them in the fridge and they're even more amazing. When you're breastfeeding on demand, especially in the beginning when you're both trying to figure out what the hell you're doing, these gel pads offer some relief to your cracked, bleeding nipples. And trust me, they will crack and bleed, but only for a few days IF you're latched properly. I still use them when Lilly has marathon feeds or cluster feeds. Obviously if you're still in pain after a few days, call your lactation consultant and GET HELP EARLY. Do not wait a month. Breastfeeding should never be painful.
7. Water
This one is something that the nurses and lactation consultants beat into my (and my husband's) head while we were in the hospital. You need water to flush out all the excess fluid that built up during your pregnancy, and you need water for your milk production. Think of it this way, if you're dehydrated, your milk is dehydrated, and then you're dehydrating your baby. My hubby would make sure I had PLENTY of water to drink at every feeding, at least 8 ounces, usually more like 16. Sometimes I would drink a whole 32 ounce water bottle during a feeding.
8. Protein Bars
These are great to have to snack on when you literally don't have a free second to eat anything else. I probably have eaten over 12 boxes of these in Lilly's first 12 weeks. They are amazing to snack on when you're feeding because you will sit down, struggle to get your babe latched on, finally get comfortable, and instantly be famished and feel totally parched. Keep these (and water) at all your nursing stations within arms length and you'll be the happiest mama on the block!
9. Graco Travel System Stroller
Again, another lifesaver. This was great for us because it made it so easy to get Lilly in and out of the car. She likes to fall asleep as soon as we start moving, so I would never want to have to wake her up to bring her in. Plus it's such a breeze to click in and out of the car and onto the stroller. We love it!!
Two Month Favorites
1. Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive
While Lilly was still in the hospital, she started to get a little red butt that we figured would clear up when we got home. We were using Huggies Pure and Natural diapers, and I really liked them. Then we started using the size 1's we got in the diaper cakes from our shower - and they were just the regular Little Snugglers. Her rash kept getting worse, to the point that we needed a prescription medication. We tried all kinds of diaper creams, but after switching to the Sensitive Swaddlers, she hasn't had any rash since! I'm thinking it was the Little Snugglers, and we're going to give the Pure and Natural diapers another try when we transition to size 2's.
2. Ingenuity Automatic Bouncer
At first, Lilly didn't really enjoy this. Fast forward to six weeks, and into month two, and she loved it. It's great to be able to put her in it while we cook or eat. She rarely falls asleep in the bouncer, so it's nice to put her in it and not have to worry about her napping and throwing off her entire schedule!
3. Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Play Gym
We bought one of these to introduce toys to Lilly once she was nearing the age where she would start swatting. She loves laying on the mat and grabbing on to the dangling toys, looking at herself in the mirror and listening to the music! It's great because it came with a pillow too for tummy time!
4. Brica Day and Night Light Musical Mirror
The first month without this was awful! Everytime we drove somewhere I worried about Lilly! Was she spitting up? Did she lose her binky? Was she sleeping? Silently choking on something? The mirrors we registered for were good for my hubby's car, but not for my new truck, so this one was a necessity. I spent the extra $5 to get one with a night light and let me tell you it was WELL worth it! I love being able to see her whenever I want while we're driving, especially at night. It's great!
5. Gerber Cloth Diapers
When we went to complete our registry, we debated about how many burp cloths we'd need. I (the crazy nesting pregnant mother-to-be) argued that we needed at least 10, if not 15. Mark told me I was bat-shit crazy, and we ended up buying 4. Guess who was right? We literally use these EVERY single day and they are hands down my favorite burp cloths. We have over 20, probably close to 30 and I use them up every week. In fact, that's usually how I know it's time to do laundry for Lilly. I keep 8-10 in our room (for night feedings) 6-8 in the nursery, and the remainder in the diaper bag and around the house. Do NOT be fooled by how rough they feel in the package, they become super soft once you wash them.
6. Summer Infant Privacy Plus Video Monitor
Love, love, love this monitor! It's great to be able to SEE what my little monster is up to when she's in her room. We will be buying a second camera in order to have them in different rooms of the house as well.
7. Baby K'Tan Baby Carrier
This sling has been amazing. It's great when Lilly is super fussy and only wants to be held. I throw her in the sling, and go about my business and she's usually fast asleep within 5 minutes. I will admit, I had to have Mark teach me how to use it, because I was too lazy to look up the videos online.
8. Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump
This is a great pump. It came with extra parts, which was great, and a hand pump, which I actually use quite a bit. Great for moms going back to work, and great for those times when you just don't want someone attached to your boob. I have been trying to pump more often in order to build up a supply for those (rare) date nights when Lilly sleeps over at Nana's. I have to say though, get a hands free bra so you don't have to sit there and hold the flanges. It helps to keep your mind off of how much you're producing. I didn't want to spend the money on one, so instead I cut two small holes in the BeBand I DIDN'T use while I was pregnant (biggest waste of money, turned useful contraption ever).
9. Hand Sanitizer
I know that babies need to be exposed to germs and whatnot, but this puts my overprotective mama mind at ease. We keep a big bottle by the front door, one at the changing table, and extra bottles in the diaper bags. It's great when we go to parties outdoors (and since it's summer, that's usually what we're doing every weekend) and there isn't a sink readily available. Some people give me crap about it, but I honestly don't give a shit... it's my kid, so if you want to hold her, you play by my rules.
10. Canon EOS Rebel T3 DSLR Camera
We bought this before Lilly made her grand entrance, specifically to take pictures during labor and delivery. I love it. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but it takes great pictures super fast, which, as you all know, with a baby is super important!
