You've Got Questions...I've Got Answers

I have received all sorts of questions as of late and I wanted to put them all into one big post as not to disappoint...actually, I did this so I would remember all of them {or so I hope}. I think everyone knows I am an open book so if there is ever a question you have for me, I am happy to answer away!

1. Are you wearing spanx to help your body recover from labor? Actually no! I found something better thanks to my best friend. She told me about a product called the BFF and went to the store to pick it up for me, just a few days after Caroline arrived. It's basically like spanx, but you can make it tighter and it really helps to pull in that little belly I still have. For those interested, I bought mine at Pickles and Ice Cream and got an XS. It's a little pricey, but well worth the investment!
2. Where does Caroline sleep at night? Thanks to Mimi, she sleeps in a bassinet right next to our bed. We knew we wanted her in our room for the first few weeks {possibly even months} just for peace of mind, and to make it easier for middle of the night feedings and such. We got the Kolcraft Bassinet with sounds, vibration, and it has an incline so she isnt sleeping flat on her back, which helps with reflux and such. We absolutely love it! Even better, it's got room storage underneath it as well. CC has yet to sleep in her pack n play since it's a little too large so this has been a necessity!
3. How are you keeping up with your normal routine right after having the baby? Maybe I should do a "day in the life" post soon to show you just how I feel like I am barely treading water. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly and I assure you each day has an assortment of all three... basically, I am just trying to stay as positive as possible and tell myself that this initial newborn stage will be difficult, but she's only this little once and I need to savor every moment.
4. What have been the items you have used most with Caroline so far? As far as newborn necessities, I am definitely going to voice my opinion, as I think it's helpful to "pay it forward" to other mommies out there. I was given lots of advice and I know it's been so beneficial, because the world of babies is just way too overwhelming.
Aden + Anais Muslin Blankets: hands down, the best there is. They are lightweight, comfy, easy to swaddle little bit, breathable, and have the cutest designs. I want 10 more of these!
Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs: a bib plus burplcloth in one...same great absorbent material as the blankets...these are the favorite in our house!
A&D Ointment: when CC gets redness on her bottom from one too many "wet" diapers, I apply this to her wrinkled little tushy and she seems to get some relief ASAP.
Soothie Pacifiers: I know they say some babies aren't picky about pacifiers, but Caroline is quite the little diva and will only take a soothie made by Avent. Lucky for us, these are the same pacis that are used in Wubbanubs, which make the thought of using a pacifier a little more appealing.
Cloud B Sleep Sheep: we love the different sounds on this handy dandy stuffed animal and we use it everynight to calm Caroline to sleep after she feeds. Now I can see why so many people use noise machines to help them sleep!
My Breast Friend Feeding Pillow: I wouldn't have had this to use if it wasn't for my good friend Amber. She brought it over to me to borrow and I haven't put it down since. This is WAY better to use for breastfeeding rather than the Boppy, as it straps on to you and is more "snug" during feeding time. It also has a little storage pocket, perfect for mini lotion, lanolin cream, and emory boards so I can file CC's nails when she is "occupied".
Green Grass Drying Rack: this is the perfect rack for drying multiple bottles and such all at the same time, not to mention it will accomodate all brands...it also adds a fun pop of color to the kitchen counter, too- quite the conversation piece I assure you ;)
Medela Pump in Style Breastpump/Bottles: Another alert of a must-have if you plan on feeding a la boob...thanks Amber, I owe you one for this, as well. This boob tube pumper makes it SO much easier to pump, and faster, too. Not going to lie...this is one of the least glamorous parts about being a mom, but nutirition wise, momma's milk can't be beat.
Carter's Sleep and Plays: Caroline has lived in these onesies since the day she came home from the hospital. They come with either zippers OR snaps, and they are the absolute best and most comfortable clothing for everyday wear. Plus, they are way easier when it comes to diaper changes which seem to occur way too often.
I'm sure there will be tons more products I rant and rave about in the future, but these are ones that stood out to me from day one, and have made life way more pleasant.
5. How tall are you? I'm 5'4", but almost 5'5" on a good day ;)
6. What's the best piece of advice you have been given? For me, it's something my grandmother has enstilled in me for as long as I can remember...it's all about knowing that I am not in control and that I should talk to God each and everyday and put my complete trust in Him. He listens no matter what-when I am happy, when I am sad, and I know that as long as I have Him on my side, I can tackle anything life throws at me. Having a relationship with God has transformed my life and I have my grandmother to thank for that.
7. What is your most prized possession? I know we shouldn't get wrapped up in possessions and physical things, but the one item that means the most to me is my wedding ring. It signifies a once in a lifetime love, a commitment to put my marriage above all other, and whenever I look at it, I know that I have someone that loves me unconditionally, forever and always.
If you've got other questions for me, feel free to send them my way!

Our Baby Registry…Part III: The Fun Stuff and Misc. Needs

Here it is friends! My third-and final-installment of our baby registry. I left some of my favorite little things for this post, as what registry could be complete without a few toys and some adorable random necessities? Enjoy!

JJCole Head Support and Strap Covers. Seeing as little bit will most likely be fairly small when she comes home, we registered for head support to help “cradle” her in the car seat for the first few months. In addition, we registered for the strap covers, too, so they won’t irritate her skin or cause a fuss.

 Brica Day and Night Musical Auto Mirror/Brica UV Alert Shade. As much as we are on the go, I am hopeful Caroline will love the car! Wishful thinking, yes, but we’re positive people over here in our house. We were told to get the MUSICAL version of the auto mirror to keep her stimulated and to make sure we invested in sun shades as not to blind her sweet little eyes. Oh, that reminds me, baby sunglasses need to be added to my list!

Swaddling Blankets. If it one thing I’ve been told, it’s that the little one needs to be swaddled ASAP. Swaddling blankets are similar to being in mom’s tummy in that it keeps them warm, comfortable, and helps soothe and calm them, as well. It helps babies sleep more peacefully, and {fingers crossed}, may help them sleep through the night!

We registered for a number of swaddling blankets(HALO SleepSack/Summer Infant SwaddleMe/aden + anais 4-Pack SwaddlePlus Wrap) in different sizes and fabrics as I had heard fabulous things about each, so I thought we’d do some experimentation to see which works best for Caroline.

Toys. Hello! What wee one doesn’t need toys to keep themselves occupied?

Lamaze Jacques the Peacock/Mortimer the Moose/Stretch the Giraffe. Everyone went on and on about just how wonderful the Lamaze brand of toys is so of course we had to register for a few of the most adorable animals around! The contrasting colors and fun attachments/accessories are supposed to be fantastic for baby’s development.

Rockabye Baby – Beatles Lullaby Renditions CD. A CD with Beatles’ infamous songs remixed as baby lullabies?? How is this not a total win/win situation…funny enough, there are so many different versions out there that I know we’ll want to get a few more. I think Pappy (my dad) will be buying his little darling the Aerosmith CD since that is his favorite band.

Cloud B Sleep Sheep. There are so many “noise machines” out there, so I was a little overwhelmed in this department. It plays white noise, which I have been told is the best for helping the peanut fall asleep at night, and then it has extra sounds in case they prefer to hear a heartbeat/rain shower/ocean waves/whale songs. We shall see, we shall see. I love that it has an automatic timer that shuts itself off and has volume control, too.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether/So'Pure Sophie Giraffe Teething Ring. Another crowd favorite, Sophie helps develop baby’s senses and stimulates sight, hearing, smell, taste, and is supposed to soothe little ones when they have sore gums during teething. Plus, they are just too cute and one of Caroline’s aunts just LOVES giraffes {hehe, Aunt Bev, I love you!}

For other fun toys, we registered for this, this, this, and this.

So there you have it...the gear, the feeding/bathing/diapering/well-being gadgets, and the fun stuff we all actually want to scan! I hope you enjoyed my little tour through "natasha's baby prep", and i hope this was helpful. now we sit and wait to see what works, what doesn't, and what we'll be running to the store to grab during the wee hours of the night.

Our Baby Registry...Part II: Feeding/Diapering/Bathing/Well-Being

Hello friends!! Back for round 2 of operation “let’s get prepared for everything baby!” It’s just crazy how much these little wee ones need {well I say need, some are just wants}, but you get the idea. Let’s get on with the important stuff:

Feeding

Medela Pump in StyleDouble Electric Pump. To put it nicely, I’m just not certain how I am going to feel about breastfeeding. To me, it’s an extremely personal decision for a mother and so I’ve decided to try it out and see how it goes. If it is something that works for both Caroline and I, we’ll try to stick with it for a bit. If it proves to be too much/she doesn’t latch/etc, then we will seek alternative methods to ensure that baby gets the proper nutrition she needs. From every mother I know, they have raved on and on about the Medela brand, so we’re sticking with that!

{Update: we learned a lot more about breastfeeding from the class we took at the hospital…to be honest, it made the whole process a lot less confusing and I highly recommend taking a class like this for any expectant mother considering the possibility-they showed us holds, informed us on what a proper latch should look and feel like, gave us pointers on bottles/pacifiers/pumping/etc, too!}

We also registered for a few necessities to complement the pump: Quick Clean Micro Steam Bags, Disposable Nursing Bra Pads, Soft Fit Breastshields, Lanolin Cream, Hydro Gel Soothing Pads, and Pump + Save Bags. 

Dr. Brown’s BPA Free Bottles. Bottles…another area of experimentation as I see it. We were informed Dr. Brown bottles are great in that they comfort the little one with a “vent system”, and is the most similar to breastfeeding. Air never mixes with the milk/formula, which helps prevent colic, spit-up, burping, and gas {we shall see about that friends, we shall see}. We registered for the infant set that has a variety of sizes of bottles and nipples to see what works best for us.

Medela Breast Milk Bottles. We also registered for Medela’s bottles, both in the 5 oz and 8 oz sizes, since they are compatible with Medela pumps—you can pump, store, and feed with 1 bottle, which is a big plus in my book! The less to clean, the better.

Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs. Another hot item that seems to be on everyone’s wish list is anything and everything from Aden + Anais. They are 100% cotton muslin, and serve 2 purposes as a bib and a burp cloth—genius! The fun prints are cute, too!

Skip Hop Splash Drying Rack in White. Space saving design (because our kitchen isn’t tremendously large), plus an attached brush, as well as the perfect shelf to hold all the feeding essentials, and you have a winner in my book. 

Mamas and Papas Baby Snug. This is basically the newest version of the Bumbo and I read a lot about it to compare the two. It adjusts as your baby grows, comes with the tray for easy feeding, is lightweight, and easy to clean. Personally, I think it’s a lot prettier to the eye rather than the Bumbo—but that is totally just my preference.

Other items we registered for on the feeding front are Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Feeding Bibs, Dr Browns Bottle Brushes, Bumkins Waterproof Super Bib, Munchkins Dishwasher Baskets, as well as OXO Tot spoons, feeding set, and snack catchers.

Diapering

Diaper Dekor Plus. In the world of champs, genies, and such, we decided on a slightly different option. With a hands-free step disposal, that had me sold! It’s also odor-free, larger capacity than a few others on the market, and isn’t a complete eye sore. Only downside is that you have to buy specific refill bags, which we registered for as well.

Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers. The diaper aisle…now this is a topic that could have its own post, but I wanted to make it as simple as possible. When I was little, I was a Huggies baby and so was Jeff {yes, we absolutely asked our moms to verify}. So, we’re going to give these a shot and hope for the best. My grandparents have done their own independent research and have stocked me up. Remember, this is a team effort my friends, and everyone is involved.

Huggies Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes. These contain aloe as well as Vitamin E, are hypoallergenic and fragrance free. Here again, personal preference as I assume there are tons of great options, but our family loves the Huggies brand.

Prince Lionheart Premium Wipes Warmer. I’ve been told this isn’t a necessity, but more of a little luxury to make diaper changes a tad bit more pleasant. The warmer helps keep wipes fresh, and the pop-up lid makes it easy to use when your hands could be occupied with other “exciting” things ;).

A+D Ointment. This is why it pays off to have mom friends, so they can be the testers for everything before me…if I’ve heard one thing more than any other, it’s to stock up on A+D ointment and never leave home without a travel tube. Helps to relieve minor irritation, and the nurses at Baptist recommend using it with each and every diaper change to prevent diaper rash.

Mustela Stelactiv Severe Cream. In cases where you can’t prevent diaper rash, mom friends have told me that Mustela’s cream is one of the best. It works quickly to treat the area the FIRST time without having to reapply over and over again.

Bathing

Primo Eurobath Kit in White. I know, the giant blue whale is a top registry item for most, yet this was a top contender for us—5-star reviews from multiple sites, and transitions easily from birth to 24+ months so you only have to buy 1 infant tub. It supports babies by “cradling” their arms and legs, and the plug is easy to drain, too, which I’ve been told is VERY helpful. Even better, it’s white so it goes with everything. {can you tell I don’t like it when everything screams “baby”?}

Swaddle Designs Hooded Towels and Washcloths. Bathing essentials that every little one needs, and I think they should be cute, too—I’ve been told this is one of the best in how they hold up after use, softness of the materials (cotton and terrycloth), and they are really absorbent to keep Caroline warm straight out of the tub.

RH Baby and Child Hooded Towels. I also registered for these (and these) adorable hooded towels from my favorite baby décor store. They are simple, personalized, and are large, so they can transition to use when Caroline is a toddler, too! 

Mustela Newborn Gift Set. I was told that the starter set is perfect because you get to try out multiple items and Mustela is supposedly great for a newborns’ sensitive skin. This comes with foam shampoo, barrier cream, gentle cleanser, and body cream.

We also registered for the traditional Johnson & Johnson line of baby products (baby shampoo, moisture wash, and lotion) because we all know nothing smells better than a clean and fresh wee one.

Well-Being

Crane Drop Shape Humidifier. When I was little, I couldn’t survive without a humidifier in my room—granted, I had really bad asthma so it was a necessity, but I’ve been told that it’s always a good idea to invest in one of these gadgets to allow the little one to breathe easier. It also helps with congestion, and cold/flu symptoms and increases air moisture. This one is energy efficient, too-yay for the environment!

Other must-haves we registered for: Nasal Aspirator, Medicine Syringe, Little Tummys Gas Relief Drops, Rectal Thermometer {yes, I’ve asked numerous times, this is the best way to get the proper temperature reading}, Summer Infant Brush and Comb Set/Nail Clipper Set, and Orajel Day/Night Pain Reliever.

So there you have it--round two of everything baby! Exciting stuff, isn't it? ;)
The final registry roundup featuring all the fun goodies and toys will come soon, so stay tuned!

Our Baby Registry...Part I: The Gear

Finally, right? I have received all sorts of questions asking about our baby registry so I hope this helps! I decided to break these registry posts down into smaller, more manageable details because too much of this stuff is completely overwhelming. First up, the necessary baby gear.

Of course I must insert a caveat before you read any further: these are only MY recommendations/opinions, based on hours of research online, tips and tricks from other mommies, Lucie’s List, Consumer’s Reports, and countless other blog posts I have read from pregnant gals.  Also, I am already betting some of these essentials will be replaced once Caroline comes…this is going to be an ongoing "experiment" in surviving the daily life of a newborn, and I’m lucky that there is a Target a mere 2.5 miles from my house.

The Britax B-Ready Stroller. I was up in the air between the B-Ready and the UppaBaby Vista, and this was the chosen winner. I wanted a stroller that was easy to disassemble, had a "click-and-go" system with carseat, offered adequate storage {hello shopping adventures!}, and could accomodate another child {if and when friends, if and when}.  Let's be honest, I also wanted a stroller that was pleasing to the eye-I'm going to use this everyday and I didn't want something I couldn't stand to look at. We ended up getting the silver color and I love it!

The Britax B-Safe Carseat. Not only was it a top safety pick, but it easily pops into the B-Ready stroller. It's also gender neutral, and smaller than other carseats we looked at. We also registered for the additional car seat base so Jeff can pimp one in his ride, too. ;)

Britax B-Ready Bassinet. This was one of those items that isn't a necessity, but I really, really wanted it. This bassinet is going to be perfect for afternoon strolls in the park, little naps when we are out and about, and a perfect companion for our beach trip in May.

ERGObaby Carrier. I’ve been told this is the Cadillac of baby carriers out there, due to it’s ease of use, comfort level when wearing for long periods of time, it adapts to both mom and dad’s sizes, and how practical it is—you can do normal activities while having the little one attached to you. Friends assured me this one was the winner in their book. A little pricier than others, but something we're bound to get a lot of use out of. Check!  

Moby Wrap Carrier. For something a little less bulky, we opted for the moby wrap. It keeps the baby warm while my hands remain free, has wide straps for comfort, protects baby skin with SPF 50 material, is easily adjustable with no buckles/snaps, and looks to be fairly simple to use when running errands. This is going to be fun entertaining to learn the proper way to wrap our little bambino up.

Summer Infant BabyTouch Color Video Monitor. We splurged on this item and registered for one of the nicer monitors. It's has color display, touch screen monitor, a pan/scan/zoom feature so when little miss moves around the crib we can still see her, a 2-way talk back feature {for when she gets older}, as well as a handy dandy docking station. Let's just hope I don't get crazy and have to stare at the thing constantly "just in case".

The Nap Nanny. A friend and fellow mommy recommeded the Nap Nanny to me, and said she couldn't live without it--the perfect reclining infant sleeper. It "cradles" the baby, weighs only 3 pounds so you can take it anywhere in the house, is ideal for babies who don't like to lay flat, and is perfect for playtime and lounging. I've also been told this helps with reflux and helps preventscongestion, too!

Boppy Pillow and Slipcovers. I'm not sure this needs any explanation as practically everyone knows about this lifesaver. Helpful for feeding, can be used for tummy time, and a way to "prop" up the little one. I also registered for a few extra slipcovers since I'm assuming these get dirty frequently. Some other cute slipcovers I found: here, here, and here.

Fisher Price My Little Snug-A-Bunny Bouncer. Another tried and true absolute from everyone I have talked to. A bouncer, something to keep them in motion when they get fussy or refuse to sleep, and acts as entertainment, too. This one is lightweight with 8 different songs and sounds, portable and sturdy and has a mobile attachment for stimulation. To be honest, I also loved the fact this doesn't take up a huge amount of space.

Chicco Playard/Pack-n-Play-Romantic. This is one item I am up in the air about and may rethink and go with something else. I love the design of this, yet it's bulky and I've read it's not the easiest to travel with. I do love the built-in bassinet and changing table as we plan to keep this in our family room for sleep/play time, and it will make it easy to change little miss' diapers without having to walk up and down the stairs. It also has storage compartments, a mobile, sounds, and a night light. If we decide this one is just too much to deal with, I've got my eyes on the Quicksmart or the Aprica Haven OpenAir.  

We're also planning to get a jogging stoller (here or here), a highchair (this or this), an exersaucer/jumper, but we're waiting on those items for a bit to figure out what Caroline likes/dislikes and what we actually need.

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of the fascinating world of a baby registry...next up, the feeding/diapering/bathing/cleaning essentials...and yes, I guess this is where I have to talk about breastpumping and dirty diaper disposal...the not so glamorous part of motherhood ;).

Hello, Christmas, I Love You

Hey there Wednesday! So nice to see you again...I thought this week was going to be a "slower than usual" one, though it seems with the holidays fast approaching, there is no time to sit down and take a little breather...

So much to report...Christmas blessings for so many of my friends--another one of my wonderful friends got engaged last night so a big congrats to Candice! I know she is over the moon excited and I can't wait to hear all about it when we celebrate tonight. I think next year is gradually shifting from the year of the baby back to the year of the wedding...love is in the air!

Speaking of Christmas blessings, I was taking a look at all of the holiday cards we received from family and friends this year and it just made my heart melt thinking of how good God has been to so many of us...really makes me thankful for the exciting things that have transpired in 2011--weddings, babies, new homes, career changes, moves, etc--who knows what is in store for 2012!

All this baby stuff is setting in--quickly approaching, yet still so much to get accomplished. I came home the other night to our first big baby gift... the car seat! My how I get excited for the craziest things these days. Not going to lie though--it totally freaked me out--like a real car seat for Caroline to sit in...weird!

Last night I finished my wrapping and packing workshop for all of our Christmas gifts...boy does that feel good to have off my plate. Here is a little sneak peak at this year's "theme"--all in rich reds, creams, moss green, and gold--love the end result!

Alright, enough mindless chatter for today...this lady has multiple deadlines to meet so I best get back at it! Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday--only 4 days until Christmas--eeekkk!

Items to Report for Friday

It's Friday, it's Friday! There is aways something about this day each week where I am up and at it with a smile on my face...maybe it's because I know I get to indulge in my weekly Starbucks treat, and I know it's going to be a pleaser ;)

Speaking of my favorite, yet still overpriced concoctions, today through Sunday, Starbucks is having Buy 1 Get 1 Free on your favorite drinks from 2PM to 5PM, just when we all need that little afternoon pick-me-up. Visit your favorite barista and load up on some caffeine! Perfect to keep your hands warm during all that Christmas shopping, right?

Tonight, I am going to get down to business and do more holiday decorating...we're doing 2 trees again this year {1 real, 1 not-so-much}, so my favorite non-shedding tree is going up this evening--pair that with Michael Buble's holiday CD {AMAZING!}, peppermint hot cocoa for the hubs and I, and Papa John's Pizza and I'd call that an exciting night in our household.

Saturday, Team Baby is going to be put into action as Mom, Jeff, and I start the registry process...the husband is coming along to do the scanning, while Mom and I will get the fun job of figuring out exactly what we do and don't need--and what the heck half of this stuff is. Thankfully, I have INCREDIBLE mom-friends who have sent me hoards of lists of their favorites and go-to items of what Miss Caroline is sure to need. It seems Aden + Anais swaddling blankets, an Ergo Carrier, Halo Sleep Sacks, a Mustela Pump, The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD, a Boppy pillow, and a Summer Video Monitor top their lists as "necessities". Any other recommendations out there? I am ALL ears on this one!

I am SO excited to get our Christmas cards delivered from my favorite online retailer of everything stationery, Minted. They never cease to disappoint and I hope our friends and family really like our 2011 mailables--which I promise to show after we send them out!

And lastly, I feel as though my world has been crushed...Pinterest has been blocked at work--oh heavens, looks like I am going to have to get crafty with my posts and inspiration now, huh? Didn't they get my message of how social media is important? How can Twitter be accessible, but not Pinterest? Oh vey, as it looks like I'll be spending my nights blogging now. Well, it is what it is".

Have a good weekend friends!!

Mondays...They Are All The Same

Did you all have a fabulous weekend? I was delighted to spend Friday night with friends, but mostly surrounded with the family for the rest of my time away--weekends like this just don't come around nearly as often as I'd like.
Christmas Village was a crazy fest! There were so many more people than usual, and apparently this was the event's most successful year yet. We were patient in waiting our turn and kindly saying "excuse me" when people gave us a little push, and in turn scored some fun goodies. I bought a holiday burlap nutcracker sign for our front door, a few scarves, the most amazing pumpkin butter, and some fabulous treats for Caroline--her first Wubbanub!

Mom {AKA Mimi} spoiled her rotten with her first monogrammed bloomers and bib, a bib/burp cloth set with her name, and the most adorable smocked dress for next Christmas...cannot wait to show them off once I take some pictures. Afterwards, I met the friends at Chago's to celebrate Candice's 29th birthday! Such a fun time catching up and I think the birthday girl had a wonderful evening out on the town. 

Saturday morning, Jeff went to work on a home project and I went to do more Christmas shopping...stocked up on my wrapping necessities for this year's theme for our presents and then got all dressed up for a night on the town with my hubby. 

Kayne Prime was absolutely AMAZING and the best food we have had in a long time...the atmosphere is uber trendy and I was very much impressed with the entire experience--if you go, you simply MUST try the bacon appetizer served with maple cotton candy and the corn brulee for a side dish...heaven in your mouth I tell you! And of course, we had to dig into a little dessert which substitutes quite nicely for alcohol...the banana bread with ice cream was out of this world!
Sunday morning, we headed to church and then met the family at Mere Bulle's to celebrate Mom. Then we were off to do some bambino shopping...poor hubby got a little overwhelmed, but we picked out the stroller--huge progress I tell you! After endless amounts of research online, polling other mom friends, and doing some trial runs in stores for convenience, weight, practicality, and such, we decided to go with the Britax B Ready and I am SO excited! Just love this system...wow, when did I officially get so OLD. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the gym, grocery store, cooking dinner, doing laundry, and then starting my holiday decorating. My goal is to do 1 box/tub a night so I should have it done by Christmas Eve ;)