Mommies-to-be!

Hey There Stranger!

When I was pregnant, people loved to tell me what I HAD to have in order to be a successful mother, LOL. About 99% of the things I was told about are in no way shape or form a "need" and I don't have them. I think that keeping it simple is really the way to go, at least that's what has worked for me :) ... So to all you mommies-to-be out there, in the spirit of motherhood, here's my simplified, other than the obvious, gonna make you happy, you've-gotta-have (but not really) list!

1. BABYWISE aka The Baby Bible

I hate hearing from people that their kids don't sleep. The other day I had someone tell to enjoy naptime while it lasts, her son was 18 months old and he refuses to take them. "REFUSES"... who is in charge here? This book has been an amazing help in creating a schedule that leaves Micah happy and gets mommy lots of z's. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any new mother. It's the best!

2. Soothies!

I know that some people are totally against pacifiers, but I have to say, I am a HUGE advocate. Micah loves his soothies right around naptime and he also likes to turn them around and chomp at them these days because he is teething. Also, new studies suggest that using a pacifier up until six months of age helps reduce the chance of SIDS!

3. Gripe Water AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That's the sound of angels singing!!! This stuff is great! It helps with gas pains and teething among a whole list of other things and Micah LOVES it. I have never even given him a full dosage and it still works wonders. I just shoot a teeny tiny amount in his mouth or rub some on this gums, and instantly, he's in Heaven. It's all natural and 100% amazing!

4.Snap-n-go Stroller

I use to watch moms cart their carseats in and out off Chick-Fil-A like it was nothing, so naturally I got it in my head that I could do the same. That when they were really little a stroller was a waste of time. WRONG. I don't know what in the world I was thinking, but those woman who do that at CFA, must hate themselves!!! They are off the wall CRAZY! First of all, a carseat with a baby in, even a tiny one, weighs more than you think. They get dang heavy! Just do yourself a favor and make the investment. Go out and get a good stroller, one that is compatible with your carseat. We have the UppaBaby Vista, Stoller and I LOVE it. I know that strollers can be a little pricey, but your poor arms will thank you later.

5. Mixing Spoons

Weird I know, but Micahs favorite things to play with are not toys that we purchased for him but anything we pull out of our kitchen! Mixing spoons in particular! He's likes to chew on them, bang them on things, and hit the Mobile on the swing with them. He just loves his spoons. :)

6. Baby Links

BEST TEETHING TOY OUT THERE! Micah started teething right around three months and we tried all kinds of teethers. When he was that little he didn't want to touch anything cold. He also didn't want to search for a particular part of a toy that could fit into his mouth. These links have been a life saver, they attach to everything, he can chew on every inch of them, he can shake them around like crazy, and now that he is older they're great for attaching toys to his stroller. They are cheap, easy to clean, and babies love them. A+

7. Mirrors
This is another one of those crazy things, but Micah loves to look as himself. He can be in the middle of a complete melt down, and all you have to do is put him in front of a mirror. BAM! It's like magic... Andrew lifts his to the mirrors that hang around the house, but Micah's a big boy and if I did that, my arms would fall off. So, I have a couple of baby mirrors that can velcro to random things, like his carseat, that I let him have. He could stare at himself for an hour if I wouldn't interrupt him. LOL... such a silly guy!

8. Sleepy Sacks
This one is totally optional BUT I really like them. It has been said that children under the age of one shouldn't sleep with blankets, another precaution to take in order reduce SIDS, but I hate putting Micah down thinking that he may get cold in the night. This is a safe way he can sleep and be kept warm without a blanket! It's great!

9. Beaba Baby Cook

If you plan to make your own baby food, which is cheaper and HEALTHIER, this is the way to go! It's a super easy all-in-one fantastic-o machine! You can steam/cook, blend/chop/puree, and reheat!!! It's so easy and it's so much fun! I LOVE knowing exactly what goes into Micah's tummy and I love knowing that it's all super fresh and pure. Fabulous investment (but only if you are going to make your own food.)

10. Binkie Clip

All that I can say is LIFE SAVER!

And that's it...

xoxo

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