{Baby Swag} Stuff I Can Live Without

I am going to say something that I know you are not going to believe. Ok, here goes. You do not need to buy everything that everyone else buys for their babies. There, I said it. 

If someone told me that before Baby K arrived, I would have told them that they were nuts. Of course you need a Bumbo. Of course you need Sophie. They wouldn't be on everyone's registry's if you weren't supposed to buy them. Ugh, so stupid. The things you learn with the first, am I right? Here is a small list of typical "must haves" that I could have lived without. 

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Bumbo - The amount of time your baby's bottom can actually fit in this thing is so minimal, it's hardly worth it. (If you have a chub-a-love like me). We used the Bumbo about 25 times, total. Most of the time we used it was when my husband and I needed a minute to eat and she wasn't big enough to fit in her high chair yet. Bottom line - borrow one from a friend. 

Sophie the Giraffe - Everyone touts this as the item you have to have, but Baby K won't entertain the idea of using this toy even though she's teething like crazy. Instead, she opts for these rings. Sophie definitely has a rubbery taste/smell to it, so I think that is what is so off-putting to Baby K. Bottom line, you don't have to have it.

Boppy - Ok, so I was not a breast feeding mom. I know that if I was, this would likely have been a necessity in my house. Not only did I purchase this before I knew what my breastfeeding situation was going to be, I also had an adorable cover made for it. Seriously, so cute. Where is my uber expensive pillow now? In the bin where I keep my dog's toys. Bottom line - figure out what your BF situation is going to be before running out and purchasing this (and an uber cute cover). 

Changing Pad with Cover - I never use mine. Why in the world would I want to change my baby sideways? What do I use instead? My bed, with a towel draped over it. Perfect height and you are able to address the situation (good or bad) head on. Bottom line - have one in the nursery, but you may never use it. 

Glider with Ottoman - Isn't this glider ridic? If I had almost $1,000 laying around, I would have bought it. Am I surviving without a glider and ottoman? Absolutely. My husband and I acquired a super comfy small couch before we were married. We couldn't part with it, so we reupholstered it and it looks amazing. Since we have a couch in the nursery, we had no room for a glider. Bottom line - a glider is a nice-to-have, but definitely not a necessity.

Everyone's situation is different -what works for me may not work for the next mom, I get that. But had I really known ahead of time that you may not need certain things, I would have probably held off on them for a while to see what was truly necessary and what wasn't. 

{Baby Swag} For Easter

What will I be wearing for Easter? I have no freaking clue. What will Baby K be wearing for Easter? I've had it picked out for weeks! (Isn't that how it always works?) Easter is super early this year, so hopefully the weather cooperates because baby needs to wear this outfit because I have no plan B it's adorable. 

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And while we're on the topic of Easter, here's a look at Baby K's Easter Basket. I obsessed over the Pottery Barn ruffle Easter basket forever and when I decided to pull the trigger, it was sold out. UGH. Learn from my mistake and act fast, my friends. So just when I was about to give up, who came through for me? Target. That's right, Target. Is it just me or has Target really stepped up their Easter game this year? Anyway, I just love how her basket turned out. 

All items from Target

We went with a more minimal approach for her first Easter because, well, she not even a year old yet and we buy her tons of crap gifts through out the year. This year will be pretty anti-climactic so I cannot wait until next year when she'll be running around searching for her Easter eggs. 

Where are your Easter finds from?

{Baby Swag} Easy Peasy Must Haves

A couple of weeks ago, I was at the park with another new mother and we started talking about different baby products that we use. She mentioned that she loves her Dr. Brown bottles, but is so sick and tired of washing every little part. I thought, less is more, my friend.  So these are just a few of the easy peasy products that I shared with her.

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Playtex Drop-Ins System Nurser Bottles - When my husband suggested that we go with this bottle system, I thought he was crazy. Seriously, the 1980's called - they want their bottles back. Why would we go with something that's so old school when there have been tons of advances in baby bottles since? There is a reason why this system has been around for a lifetime - because it works. Baby K had really bad reflux and these were the only bottles that did not allow excess air to get into her tiny body. Yes, you always need to have the drop-in liners handy (which is kind of a negative), but it's so easy. Feed, dispose, done. 

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags - Sanitizing nipples (or breast pump accessories) becomes so easy with this bag. Wash items in soapy water, but in bag, microwave for a couple minutes and everything becomes sterile. You can use one bag 20 times before you toss it. Serious lifesaver, I'm telling you.

Enfamil Infant Formula Powder Single Serve - I love these "to-go" packets because there is no measuring involved (they are portion controlled - one stick equals 4 oz. of formula) and they conveniently fit into your diaper bag for easy feeding while out and about. Add water and you're done. 

Plum Organics Baby Food - Now, I have not used this brand of baby food just yet (but I will when Baby K gets used to the idea). I love how it's in a squeezable pouch, which is so easy to feed baby while on the go. 

Plum Organics Dispensing Spoon by Boon - This product affixes to the Plum Organics pouch for feeding your very little ones on the go. Additionally, Boon makes a dispensing spoon where you put the baby food into the handle and it dispenses from actual spoon. *Side Note - Munchkin makes one too. I do not love it.* By marrying the dispensing spoon straight to the pouch, feeding time just became much less messy and so much easier! 

These are just a few products that I've come across. I'd love to know other Easy Peasy products out there! 

{Baby Swag} Must Haves for Baby

When I was pregnant, I researched EVERYTHING. Right down to which bathtub to buy - who knew there were SO many options! I definitely appreciated all the mom bloggers out there who told the good, the bad and the ugly of baby related purchases. I always swore that after Baby K was born, I would pay it forward and do the same. So below is my list of Top 8 baby swag that I cannot (and I mean cannot) live without.

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Uppababy Vista Stroller - I did not want to be replacing a cheap stroller every few months. After researching cheaper and more expensive strollers, I fell IN LOVE with this one. I will warn you, the Uppababy Vista is not cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for. It is stable and sturdy, yet isn't too heavy. It folds and opens fairly easy, yet isn't too bulky. The best part is that it grows with your baby. It comes with a bassinet option for when your baby is really little (which we did not use, but it was nice to have). You also have the option to purchase an attachment ($30) which will allow your Chicco, Graco or Maxi Cosi car seat to sit snug in the stroller as well. Glorious!

Fisher Price My Little Lamb Platinum Swing - I can't say enough good things about this swing. We originally purchased a Fisher Price Snugabunny Swing and after 1 week of using it, it was NOISY. I'm talking, gears shifting LOUD! I read that this was common, so we boxed it back up and returned it. I was apprehensive about purchasing another Fisher Price swing, but they are the best around, so we took our chances. I am so glad we did because this swing has it all! Most importantly, it plugs in with an A/C adaptor. No batteries required! It has a starlight show which keeps Baby K entertained. And it's cozy. Like, I want to curl up in the swing with her and take a nap, cozy.

Sassy Rings - These rings were one of the first things we gave to Baby K when she started holding on to things. She uses them everyday and cannot go anywhere without them. She is constantly gnawing on them even though she's isn't teething quite yet.  

Aden + Anais Swaddling Blankets - I love every single product this company makes. They could make toilet paper and I would probably buy it. They are not the cheapest swaddling blankets out there, but they are the best and worth every dime. They are much larger than most blankets and are made out of a gauzy material. Once your baby no longer needs/wants to be swaddled, they make great blankets to keep them cozy in car seats or in their swing. You will use them every day for the first year of your child's life (and then some). 

Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag - Again, not the cheapest diaper bag option out there. But, this one comes with a portable changing station in it. It has pockets for EVERYTHING. The outside of the bag is made from a water-resistant material so when you spill a bottle (and you will), it's easy clean up. Plus, they come in great patterns! 

Car Seat Cover - Keeps the germs out, keeps the sun out, and most importantly keeps strangers from gawking at your child. If you are handy with a sewing machine, there are plenty of templates out on the interweb, so just make your own. Etsy also has countless options as well. I use mine everyday - well worth it!

Pajamas - When I was pregnant, I didn't buy any of these. So very stupid. I wish someone would have told me that they Baby K would be living in them. Most days, I don't even change her out of her pajamas because they are perfect for playing and sleeping throughout the day. 

Aden + Anais Security Blankets - I am a huge fan of security blankets mainly because I still have (and sleep) with mine. Don't judge. Because of this, I am all for these mini blankets. It's the perfect size for her little hands and is made from the same breathable material that the swaddler blankets are made from so you don't have to worry about your baby smothering themselves. Again, great company. Go buy everything they make. You will not be disappointed. 

Next up...Baby K's nursery.