Favorite Baby Gear – Months 6, 7 & 8

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It’s funny each month the husband and I remark at how this is our ‘favorite’ month and what I’m starting to realize is … every month/year/decade will always be the best!  Just a few of the highlights of the past few months include Jellybean crawling, pulling up on everything in sight, holds her own bottle, clapping and producing FOUR teeth!  The whole teething thing was not a high point, but her adorable smile with 4 little pearly whites certainly is.

I have already shared my newborn and 3-5 month must have baby gear.  I’m excited to continue the series with more essentials for months six to eight!  Careful consideration goes into each product before we purchase it.  It’s important to ensure things are a good match for both Jellybean and our lifestyle.  Over the past few months I have found so many baby and mommy approved items that I had trouble narrowing down the list of essentials to share with you!

Favorite Baby Gear – Months 6, 7 & 8 | Life's Tidbits

Burpy Bib  // This is a burp cloth and a bib in one!  It’s definitely a little bit pricier than your typical bib or burp cloth, but totally worth it!  I with I had invested in a few more of these earlier on.  Though I still swear by the cheap burp clothes I mentioned in my newborn necessity post, I’m a big fan of these as well!

RazBaby Raz-Berry Teether // Despite not being a pacifier lover, Jellybean is fan of this teether. There are a bunch of textures on it and has come in handy when her gums have been especially itchy.

Squeeze and Teethe Elephant // This is the same brand as the as Sophie Giraffe, which seems to show up on EVERY baby registry list I’ve read.  Honestly I liked the Elephant way better than the Giraffe.  The giraffe has long legs, which Jellybean has gagged herself on more times than I can count and the elephant’s legs are shorter.  Plus it’s nice to be a little different!  Tip – this also come in a lion you just have to look past the ginormous giraffe display. :)

Snack Catcher //  We call it the Cheerio cup!  This comes in handy both at home and when we are on the go.  Keeps, most, of the cheerios in the cup and Jellybean can feed herself without any issues.

Sleepwear – Cupcake Onsie // These are my favorite nighttime onsies.  The come in the cutest designs, plus they are footless.  Jellybean is pretty tall so when we tried to go up a size in clothes for her length and they were too big around the waist I realized footless onsies were the perfect middle ground.  JB still sleeps in a sleep sack so we don’t worry about her toesies getting cold.

Having a Ball Get Rollin Activity Table //  When the pulling up began I quickly realized we needed a toy Jellybean could pull up on and play with.  The coffee table was effective at first, but it wasn’t interactive or stimulating … even with toys on the table.  I love this activity table and so does JB.

Peak-a-Boo Forest // This was given to us as a gift and Jellybean has been a pretty big fan for a while.  The book makes that crinkle noise, which is a huge hit.  Over the past few weeks Jellybean has gone from liking the book to being completely obsessed. She carries it everywhere (by the handle) and cries when you try to take it away … sorry JB, but the book can’t bathe with you hahaha.

Booster Pads Diaper //  I can’t even remember who suggested I tries these, but I was sold after 1 night.  Instead of purchasing specific night time diapers we place one of the booster pads into the diaper each night and we haven’t had a leak or issue yet!!  PLUS the booster pads fit into every size diaper we’ve used so far (sizes 1 -3) … no need to purchase new pads when your little one outgrows their diapers.

Munchkin Lake Buddies Bath Tub Toy //  These double as bath toys, regular toys and teething toys.  Jellybean LOVES the different characters and at least one can be found in every room in the house.

Puj Spout Cover //  No real explanation needed here.

Butt Paste // When registering and purchasing maternity clothes I got a lot of bags with free samples.  One of the samples was Butt Paste.  I gave the name a little snicker and threw it into my ‘master’ bag of samples.  Little did I know Butt Paste would become our go to when a diaper rash was developing.  Jellybean’s skin is very sensitive and it took a few tries to find the right tush cream.

So there you have it our favorite for Jellybean’s 6th, 7th and 8th month.  What are your must have baby gear items?  Any recommendations for months 9 to 12??

Oh and it’s so cliche, but how do they grow up so fast?

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Newborn Necessity Items

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I’m not sure where the time goes, but Jellybean is already two months old! When parents say “kids grow up so far”, they seriously weren’t kidding.  Not only is my maternity leave flying by, but JB is getting bigger, stronger and (of course) cuter by the day.  Before Jellybean arrived I spent a good amount of time preparing for her birth.  Decorating her nursery was just as important to me as purchasing the necessities.  All in all we were very well prepared for Jellybean – as far as “stuff” goes … the whole sleep deprivation thing … NOT so much!  Over the past two months the husband and I quickly identified our must have and necessary items for a newborn.  While it is similar to my pre-baby/pregnancy registry must have list this one is bigger and more accurate.

newborn necessities and must haves / Baby Registry | Life's Tidbits

Sleeping – Warm Onsies with Feet / Swaddle Blankets / 2-4 Bassinet Sheets

1 – Since JB is a winter baby warm onesies with feet on them (as recommended by my mother) are essential.  I would highly recommend purchasing at least 5 and get the button ones over the zip-up onesies.  While I know many folks swear by the zip-ups as they are easier the buttons come in handy during those 3am diaper changes.  Unzipping the whole onesie makes our baby colder (and often more cranky) than quickly unbuttoning just the legs and tush areas.

2 – I had originally planned on using swaddle pods, however my baby HATES them.  We are talking blood curdling screams as we zipped her into them.  We quickly learned that while she absolutely wants to be swaddled she wants the old school method.  The aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets are perfect.  They are big and enable even the worst of swaddlers (read me … my husband is the swaddle pro!) to wrap the blanket around and get a tight swaddle.

3 – I figured 1 bassinet sheet would be plenty… HA!  Amateur I tell you – AMATEUR.  Between spit up, regular linen changes and oh yes a couple of diaper blow outs having extra bassinet sheets was extremely helpful (thanks mom!).

Diapering – Pampers Swaddlers / Sensitive Wipes / Changing Pad Liners

4/5 – We tried Huggies and Pampers Swaddles with Jellybean was first born.  I must say we had less blow outs/leaks with the Pampers Swaddlers.  Like a mentioned before I’m shocked at the shier volume of diapers and wipes we go through.  STOCK UP before the baby comes or consider Amazon Mom, it saved us on more than one occasion.

6 – I would recommend getting a bunch of these.  They come in more handy than I thought they would and save me from having to wash the changing pad cover as often.  It’s almost as though Jellybean knows when I’ve removed the old diaper and I’m starting to put the new one on and BAM in the 30 second switch she pees hahaha.  Instead of taking the whole cover off I just quickly switch out the liner and I’m back in business.

Feeding – Boppy / Burp Cloths (thick ones) / Glider / Baby Connect App

7 – The Boppy has come in handy both for nursing as well as propping the baby up as I get situated.  Sometimes two hand is just necessary. ;)

8 – Although pretty burp cloths are definitely nice to have it is best to have a lot.  I’ve also found thicker burp clothes are better to help absorb any of those bigger spit ups which leak through the thin cloths.  My mom suggested we buy these, which are both affordable and thick.

9 – I spent the first few days at home attempting to find the best location for nursing.  I sat on the couch, the big chair in the living room, the glider and even tried breastfeeding in bed (worst place of all!).  I found the glider to be the easiest and most comfortable place to breastfeed.  There is a learning curve with breastfeeding (at least there was for me) and being able to sit comfortably and have good support for both my back and arms made the process a little bit easier.

10 – After leaving labor/delivery and getting somewhat settled into our recovery room the nurse handed us a sheet of paper.  She explained that all feedings as well as pee/poppy diapers should be tracked.  Given how exhausted we both were the idea of writing all the down seemed like a lot of work.  I quickly remembered my neighbor had recommended an app, which made tracking everything easier.  I downloaded the trial version and got to tracking.  The app is user friendly and my favorite part is you can pause and resume feedings as necessary.  I rarely pay for apps for my phone, but this one was well worth the money!

Other – Cradle Swing / 2 Stroller “Cuddle” Blankets / Wubbanub Pacifier / Dawn Dish Soap

11 – Originally I was against spending this kind of money on a swing not to mention it is pretty big and we live in a condo and have limited space!  When I figured out Jellybean like to swing side to side and not front to back I started toying with the idea of buying this swing.  The hubby’s work friends gave us a gift certificate to Babies R’ Us which just about covered the cost of the swing.  After a little push from my parents off to the store we went.  Jellybean takes a ton of naps in the swing…it’s definitely a MUST HAVE!

12 – These blankets are great for cuddling on the couch or keeping baby warm while traveling from one destination to another.  And let’s not forget how incredibly soft these blankets are as well!!

13 – This pacifier is not only cute, but practical.  The toy part lays on the baby’s chest or you can prop it up in the swing so the pacifier doesn’t pop out of his/her mouth as easily.  Makes for less getting up and down to pop the pacifier back in…winning!

14 – So has your baby had a blow out yet?  Well let me tell you when it happens it is GROSS.  What’s worse is trying to get the poop color out of the clothes (and/or whatever the poop got on).  Oddly enough the thing we’ve found that works the BEST is dish soap.  I have no idea what the difference is between the dish soap and baby oxiclean and/or dreft, but a little dish soap and warm water and we say goodbye to the stain!  Obviously after we get the stain our we run it through the wash using dreft so the clothes don’t irritate Jellybean’s skin.

So there you have it – my pretty robust must have list for a newborn. What items couldn’t you live without having a newborn/infant in the house?

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“Little Man” Baby Shower Brunch

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After getting the DIY baby shower invites out the next thing to tackle was the menu and the decorations.  The mom-to-be and I have always joked that she is never lacking black and white outfits.  I figured a black and white color scheme would be perfect and wouldn’t you know it my friend wore a black and white outfit to her shower without even knowing the color scheme!!!  I guess I know my friend pretty well. =)

The brunch menu came together quickly.  Although there was definitely too many sweets in the end with a good amount of left over, but who doesn’t like left over Oreo truffles?!?!  I was pretty pleased with the variety of options for the brunch.  Everyone came hungry so there wasn’t a crazy amount of left overs.

Little Man Brunch menu included:

  • Egg Soufflé
  • Pumpkin Bread
  • Fruit Platter
  • Cheese Plate
  • French Toast Casserole
  • Turkey Meatballs in red sauce
  • Oreo Truffles
  • Cigars (aka chocolate covered pretzels)
  • Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

We kept the party decorations pretty simple.  A bunch of black and white balloons, two flower vases, onesies and then a few little mustache details to bring everything together.

Unless otherwise noted all pictures were taken by Sara from Photos from the Harty.

Initially I bought some 3-6 month onsies and quickly realized they are SO tiny the iron-ons wouldn’t look so great on them.  I used one 3-6 month onsie for the bow tie (middle) the other two are 12 month onsies.

To supplement the balloons, onsies and mustache details there were two hydrangea flower arrangements.  I feel like I somehow involuntarily collect vases so it was easy to find two that were pretty much the same.  Put some white and black decorative stones in the bottom, add water and the flowers … voila a “DIY” center pieces!

The paper straws and mustache cups were a big hit.  These were probably my favorite detail.  I’ve become slightly obsessed with the paper straws.  There were purple barbershop straws at our wedding and yellow ones for the husband’s 30th birthday party.  The truth is I might never throw another party without them hahaha.  Seriously all parties will have barbershop straws!

We played two shower games.  The first was “How big is mommy’s tummy?”.  I look awfully serious measuring how many toilet paper squares Rebecca’s belly is.  I love the picture to the right as she counts the square … all smiles!!!

Next up was the poppy diaper game.  I was surprised at how stumped everyone was trying to figure out what type of candy bars were in the diapers.  The hardest one was the dark chocolate milky way … apparently the dark chocolate really threw everyone off.  And let me just say that the butterfinger game me a run for my money.  That candy bar was HARD to melt!

Thanks to all the beautiful ladies who came to shower the mom-to-be and her little man!

I put the party favors (with the DIY tags) on a platter and placed them by the front door.  I had to remind people to take them as I didn’t want 14 lollipops for myself!  I think they were a big hit and displaying them during the party added to the decorations.

A big thank you to Sara from Photos from the Harty for taking pictures at party!!

Thanks for combing on over for this Little Man baby shower.  What’s your favorite detail?

Happy Party Planning!

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