Products WE Love (3-8 months)

I know 3-8 months is a broad spectrum but I haven't had time to do the 3-6,6-9 posts like I was hoping, so I thought I would throw it all together in one big pot of baby stew.  (is that weird?)

Okay, so I posted Brody's infant needs and loves here.  Some things remain, some opinions have changed and new items have been added. :)

Things that remain:

We still love our Dr. Brown's bottles.  I really think he would be fine with any bottle now, but it is still our go to bottle.  I bought some Medela bottles to have extra and I do not like them as much.  After sucking for a few minutes, the lack of air would make the nipple compress and you would have to remove it from his mouth to reform.  Annoying.


Our glider.  I don't use it as much any more because night feedings aren't as frequent, but it's still comfy to sit in and have some snuggle time.  Brian still uses it every night to put the little dude to bed.


The pump.  I had to buy a new AC adapter but that was after over 5 years of use (previously my sis n laws).  Still have a love/hate relationship with it.  Love that it lets me give Brody mama's milk after going back to work, but I hate being milked like a cow.


The boppy.  Still gets put to good use.  I also like to put it around me, sit him down while leaning on my chest and read stories to him.  He loves this.

such a sweet boy.  rubbing his head while he sleeps.

His Soothie pacifier.  Ohmyword.  I could buy stock in these!  And for some reason they decide to disappear all the time!  I have purchased 8 since he was born---right now, I know where 3 are...wait...2.  Crap!

His sound spa.  Again...awesome for drowning out noise.



Things not used anymore:

Okay, so we still use the Lansinoh milk bags.  But I am mad.  I have lost over 40 ounces of milk because after thawing them, I will see that there is a hole and milk has leaked out everywhere.  This has happened at least 8 times.  It's really frustrating.  I don't know what to do about it though.  Still gotta use them.  At 10 bucks a box, they should be leak/tear proof.


His swing.  At least not by us.  He still sleeps in it at the sitter's but we don't use it at home anymore.  It may be attic time :(.   It used to be his best friend.  Our little boy is growing up...


His play gym.  He rolls and moves so much now that if I put him on it, he will be gone in a split second.  Now, I just throw all of his toys on it.  It may be attic time for this too and time to get a toy chest!




New things:  

Well, his Bumbo but that was short-lived.  Only because he is able to move around so much now, he can get out of it.  But it was great when we first introduced solids and could set him in that on the table or play with toys before he could sit up on his own.


His mesh teether.  These are awesome!  Sometimes I put an ice cube in there and it feels so good on his gums.  I also put frozen fruit that he can suck on and get the juices and wear it down to eat..like mangoes, frozen bananas, etc.


Sophie the Giraffe.  Another awesome teether.  May she rest in peace somewhere in the abyss of Wal-Mart.


His jumper.  This sucker is awesome.  He gets a leg work out, he's stationary, it's full of stuff to entertain him.  That way Mommy can get things done without worrying if he's choking on an electrical cord.....


His walker.  Watch your ankles though!  OUCH!  And now, he can move it around on the carpet so he is everywhere.  You have to keep your eye on him because he will pull down or open anything within his reach.

not our baby.  duh.  ours is much cuter...

Puffs.  Ohmyword.  These are like baby crack.  If Bro is cranky, I pop a few of these in front of him and BAM!  Happy baby.  I always have a stash.




Well, that's all I can think of.  I don't know when my next post like this will be...12 months?  He changes and grows out of things so quickly!  Maybe it is time for another, eh?

Let's Be Honest

And I mean, totally honest.  I am writing this post for those future moms out there who may experience this, come across my blog and feel a bit of normalcy in their situation.  Here's the scoop---being a mom is tough!  ESPECIALLY at the beginning.  Your whole. life. changes. in one day.  I reeeeeally struggled with the adjustment the first few weeks of Brody's life.  I just thought it would be so different.  I had wanted a baby my whole life and now that he was finally here, where were those feelings of elation and utter joy?  I felt disconnected with him.  There were so many factors interrupting our relationship.  An unplanned C-section.-I couldn't really hold him until a couple of hours after his birth.  I felt like a failure as a woman and mother because it did not go as I planned at all (see Brody's Birth Story).  I was totally drugged up and in a lot of pain--even after I left the hospital.  My hormones were sooo out of whack.  I would cry all. the. time.  Poor Brian!  I was so exhausted but still felt the need to do housework.  Seriously--sleep, sleep, sleep.  Breastfeeding was painful.  I wanted this so badly for him, but I would absolutely dread when he would be hungry because I knew it would hurt so badly.  He would fall asleep while nursing and I was so scared to move him and wake him that I would sit on the couch, motionless with him, for 2+ hours.  And then it would start all over again.  I was so tired of sitting!  So many things effecting our relationship.  And when people would tell me "It gets better," I couldn't comprehend it because it felt like eons away.  I loved my baby and gave him what he needed, but I didn't like him so much there for a little bit.  I was basically surviving.  People would say this is postpartum depression, but I don't really think so because the feelings left and were finally replaced with elation and complete joy.  It was just an adjustment period.  Now, I look forward to every second-watching him develop and those smiles---holy cow--melt my heart!!  Mamas-to-be, don't feel bad if you don't have that instant bond with your baby.  Take it from someone who knows, you will fall head over heels for your baby, you will eventually get some sleep, your boobs will feel better, you will want another one (if you're planning on more than one), you will eventually think, "I can't imagine life could get any better."  And you know what, it does.  Here's to faith, hope and love.

Hey there!--a little update and pics of Brody's room!

Wow, I was on a roll there for a while and then it seems I dropped off the face of the planet!  I had a really busy weekend and then have been WORKING so any free time I have I am either feeding the babes or playing with him!  He is so much fun and sure does love his mama!  I love seeing his smile when I come pick him up and I have so much fun tickling him, singing to him, doing baby exercises and just listening to him laugh!  He is such a great baby and I can only hope my proceeding little tykes are just as great!
My teacher is going to be out of the classroom for the rest of the week so that means substitute!  It always makes me nervous because in the past that meant that I teach the whole day because the sub has no idea what's going on.  Problem is, it will only be my 4th day back and I am still trying to get used to the newness of everything!  Luckily this sub was a previous 3rd grade teacher so I hope she's on the ball!  I have been so exhausted when I get home!  I used to wake up between 9:30-10 and now I wake at 6!  That is sooooo early!
Well, how about I make up for my absence and talk about Brody's nursery and throw some pics in there with it!  A blog is always better with pictures!  We decided to go for a 'surfer boy' theme because if you know my hubs, you know that he is in love with surfing and everything that goes with it!  He is definitely a water boy and I think Brody is too-that's why he wanted to swim for 10 days past his due date!  ...Almost everything in B2's room is either handed down or handmade.  I have two nephews, both 5 now, and it is great to be able to borrow bedding, bookshelves, clothes and a crib AT NO COST!  Best sis-in-law's ever!  Well, here's some pics to pique your interest:

pre-tiki roof

post tiki roof!  Brian made this!  SO HANDY I tell ya!

up close of the hand-painted sign Brian made :)

Brian added palm tree lights around the thatch roof for Brody's nightlight

up close of the bedding

to the left of the bed-bookshelf via sis in law, also framed record albums from her as well

I painted the letters to match the bedding (kind of) and then put up pics from my pregnancy

up close

above the valance-painting my sis in law made and gave as baby gift :)

changing area-glider courtesy of SIL, dresser and mirror from college

Brody's first time in his room!

sign I had made for his door to match the bedding

this is to the right of the crib-beach pic taken while I was pregnant

a view into his closet--doesn't look like this now-no strollers/carseat...now baskets of blankets and hamper and LOTS more clothes!  storage up top holds his bigger clothing (3-6, 6-9, 9-12+)

bookshelf from somewhere...

My dad holding little guy :)

Products WE Love (0-3 Months)

That is of course referring to Brody and me!
This is a list of things that I have found necessary postpartum.  Like-serious lifesavers.  I will list some that I love for myself and also the things Brody loves too (so far).

First, we shall start with moi:

A glider.  A nice, comfy one that you can sit back and relax in at 3 o'clock in the morning.  The gliding ottoman is a must also.  Kick up your feet and relax.  You're going to be here a while.

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A breast pump.  Obviously you do not need this if you plan on formula feeding.  But since I am not, this is another must have.  I use it to store up milk for when I go back to work, have Brody's grandparents babysit, I need a break and Brian gives him a bottle, etc.  I am borrowing the Medela Pump in Style from my SIL (after sterilizing it, of course) and have not had one problem with it.  It's a little scary the first time you use it because you have no idea what's about to happen or how to put it together, but then, it's cake.  I know a few other companies makes them-Lansinoh, Avent, Ameda, Evenflo, etc.  I would definitely go for an electric one verses a manual.  Here's what it looks like:

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Lansinoh Cream or something similar.  Once again, not needed if you are formula feeding but a MUST for those first few weeks!  Don't know what it looks like?  I'm here to help:

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Along those same lines and from the same company: Breastmilk storage containers.  I like the plastic bags because they take up less space.

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storage ease....(not my picture)
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Another exclusively nursing product.  Breast pads!  Oh my word!  Brody was about 2 weeks old and we took him to church Saturday night and it happened.  I leaked for the first time.  And it was embarrassing!  And of course this was our first visit to church after having Brody so everyone wanted to see him.  I had to stand there with his blanket covering one side and his diaper bag over the other.  The pastor's wife had to get me a spare shirt because, of course, we were going out to dinner afterwards.  Needless to say, a necessity.  At least for while.

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On Becoming BabyWise.  This book is pretty controversial.  Some swear by it, others abhor it.  I happen to think it works.  BUT I also didn't follow everything the book said.  And as I read through it, I thought to myself many times, "Why didn't I think of that?" and "That makes a lot of sense."  I don't let my baby cry it out, at least for more than a few minutes and I use 'sleep props'-baby swing, pacifier and sometimes I feed him before the 2.5/3 hour mark and he falls asleep nursing sometimes and I let him stay that way.  I am not saying the authors object to these things completely and they, by all means, encourage you to feed your baby if he is hungry-even if it's before you're supposed to.  Read the book, pick and choose what you agree with and you will do just fine.  You are a mother and mother's know best!

Also, an awesome blogger mom devoted to writing about her experience with this method has a plethora of information here and it will answer a lot of questions you may have:

http://www.babywisemom.com/

A Boppy.  I feel this would help with formula and breastfeeding.  It helps me have one hand free and gives the babes more support.  I have heard of another similar product, My Breast Friend, but have not used it.  It is more flat and connects around your back.  I have heard that it is better than the Boppy but I don't know from experience.  I might try it with the next baby.  But my Boppy has been a huge help!

The Boppy

My Breast Friend---see the difference?

There's my list.  I may add to it as time goes on and when I think of more things.  Now on to the cute guy....

Stuff Brody loves!

The Boppy

Yes, I meant to put this again.  Brody loves the Boppy too.  In his first weeks, he would fall deeply asleep after nursing and I could just slide him and the Boppy onto the couch so I could get up and get stuff done!  It's also a good way to prop him up so he doesn't have to just lay there all the time.  Here's a cute "Brody loves his Boppy" montage:

Isn't he just the cutest?  I love the way he's curled up in some of them.

His pacifier.  We don't use this unless absolutely necessary because I don't want him to become dependent on it, but it has definitely helped calm the screaming at restaurants and long car rides.  This one is his favorite:

This is called a Soothie.

His swaddle blanket.  We had tried a few before we got these and oh my gosh, they are awesome!  Aden and Anais blankets are muslin cotton so they are gauzy and lightweight, and they are HUGE and square whereas most are rectangular. At first, I thought Brody hated to be swaddled but he would sleep terribly because his moro reflex (where they easily startle and throw their hands in the air) would constantly wake him up.  After a few nights, he didn't resist against us anymore.  Now he let's his arms go limp as we double swaddle him and he stays like that 'til morning

They have cute prints and you can buy them at Target.

He's not swaddled here, but look how comfy he is! :)

Another product for sleeping soundly: His HoMedics Sound Spa from Target.  This is great for creating 'white noise' to help baby sleep better.  You can choose from 6 different sound options, it has a timer, and even a projector that emits cute characters onto the wall/ceiling.  We use it every night.  That along with his fan helps create enough background noise so we can have the TV on right outside his room without waking him up.

A double doozie: His swing and his play gym.  He LOVES both of these things!  I can put him in his swing, pop that paci in and he is a snoozin' in minutes.  The play gym brings him (and us) soooo much joy.  He loves having his wake time there.  He stares at Mr. Octopus and just squeals with delight.  It's the best.  

This is the swing he has.  The Fisher Price Rainforest Edition. 

A suggestion for the swing--buy one that has a plug that goes into the wall.  You will go through batteries in no time and that adds up! $$$$$

The Neptune Play Gym

Last but not least, his Dr. Brown's bottles.  I was so worried that he wouldn't take a bottle or the ones we bought would not be the ones he liked.  But I had heard great things about these bottles and luckily he took right to it.  I think it's because the nipple is squishy and the base isn't huge and round like some are.

I got the plastic ones (they're BPA free) and got a few of the 4 oz. and the 8 oz.  They are known for reducing gas and colic.  

The 4 oz. plastic bottle

Well, there you have it!  Brody's (and mine) comprehensive list of products we love so far. (Up to 3 months)  I will update as Brody tries new things!