I thought it might be time to give you an update on some products that we are LOVING in our house... especially as Mr. James gets bigger.
Teething Tabs 125 tabs
- These are all natural, and are life savers - I swear by them... we put them in James' night time bottles to help him not feel any pain during the night. Sometimes when he acts like he's hurting - we'll put them in his day time bottles too... and our wonderful sitter is equip with a bottle of them to use as needed too.
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Gerber 2 Pack Thermal Blanket, Sage
- Not only are these my favorite fabric of choice when I was a small child, but these blankets seem to be our answer for keeping fuzz out of James' fingers & toes. He used to constantly have fuzz in the creases of his little fingers and toes from the other blankets that we used, but these don't seem to shed very much. I've bought them in just about every color combination now that would be suitable for boys... but of course I'm going to need to double/triple up on them for when Tyler comes.
Gerber Rice Cereal with DHA - 8 oz
- We've been given the instructions to start the little man on some solid foods now, and this actually was one of the tricks that got us through the stomach virus as well. We've been putting a heaping teaspoon in James' night time bottles to help him get through the night, and it seems to help some... of course not as much as we'd like, but it took him a little while to regain the 1/2 pound that he lost while sick. He's now gained that back - plus another 1/2... so I think we're good to start with the cereal in the bowl.
Munchkin Multi Bowl - 5 Pack, Colors May Vary
- Of course no little guy can think of starting cereal without some colorful bowls to get the party started!! I've been told that I can't use the pink one... hahaha!
Bumbo Baby Seat, Blue
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Bumbo Seat Play Tray, Ivory
- We'll be using this initially to get the little guy started with eating - I think it'll be a little easier than a high chair because I can get even closer to him... and with Tyler being in the way a bit - any amount of closer I can get... is a good thing!
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Graco Snugride 35 Infant Car Seat, Brunswick
- Speaking of Tyler... we'll be ordering this for our newest little man to come home in... it appeals to my love of sage green and argyle... so what's not to love?!
Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller, Brunswick
- the boys will likely be using this during the fall, that is of course if it'll fit in Mommy's car... we've tried everything to find the dimensions of the double stroller while it's folded, but haven't had any luck yet - so we'll have to call Graco or we'll have to go over to Babies R Us and test out another pattern in the same line... unfortunately Babies R Us doesn't carry the Brunswick line.
Graco Duo Dinner Highchair, Brunswick
- We hadn't gotten James his highchair yet so we're planning to get him this one. Not sure if he'll move into something else by the time Tyler needs to use a high chair, but we'll get a second one so that they're matching if needed after the first of the year.
Graco Pack 'n Play Playard With Newborn Napper Station, Brunswick
- Because I'm a big matchy dork... we are considering selling the stuff that we got for James just so that everything is in the same exact pattern... I don't know if we'll do it, considering the very limited amount of time that we've actually used the Pack 'n Play that we have... but maybe you start using them more when they get bigger? What would you do if you were me?
Bright Starts Ingenuity Portable Swing, Kashmir
- We bought this for James to use whenever we need to go to his grandparent's house... because he has such a deep love for his swing, but he hasn't taken to the different motion of this one too well... so it might just become Tyler's swing. Either way - we knew we'd need a second swing with the new baby coming... so now we've got two. Heck - we might need a second portable one if we ever want to leave the house after October!
I think it's starting to settle in that Tyler is coming soon - so we're getting a few things ready for him... it's hard because we have a strong feeling that he'll be born bigger than James, so we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. Likely we'll get some size 1 diapers stocked up around here, and just go run get some newborn size if we need them once he's born.
We are also going to make an attempt at breast-feeding as well... but I'm MUCH more comfortable with the idea of pumping and feeding him from bottles... so we'll be going that route once we get home from the hospital. So ladies of the interwebs... what should I be looking for in a pump? Would you buy it ahead of time? Knowing the expense of a good pump... should I wait a week or so and see how it goes? I've heard of several Moms lately that have had trouble with their milk supply and other issues preventing them from being able to breast-feed, so I guess I'm nervous spending $300 on something that we might not be able to use. Help me out ladies...
Heh...go figure. The milk is free, but the way you gotta get it ain't!
ReplyDeleteHa, so true about what the first commenter said!
ReplyDeleteJust to mention what I did/am doing... I rented a hospital grade pump for the first month so that I could get an idea of just how much pumping I'd be doing. My baby was slow to learn to nurse, so during that time my milk supply wasn't the greatest and that hospital-grade pump worked wonders. I nurse at home but pump and bottle feed anytime we're out in public,have company over, and for overnight so I can get some sleep while Daddy bottle feeds! So, I need a constant supply of pumped milk in my fridge. If you're going to bottle-feed exclusively, you do need a good pump! I recently purchased the Ameda Purely Yours double electric pump from Diapers.com, and I love it. I got a discount for being a new customer, but I think all total the pump was $140-something, including shipping. It doesn't come with a carry case like others do. Seriously though, my suggestion would be not to buy a pump until after your baby is born and you have an idea of how well of a nurser he'll be or of your actual appeal for nursing once you get started. Your hospital's Lactation Consultant can also advise you on one that's right for you, and at the hospital they'll most likely let you use one of their pumps while you're there. Whatever you decide to do, go the route that is easiest & most convenient for you! In my case, it was just to wait and purchase a pump after birth rather than before.
By the way, we have a bouncer just like the swing you've picked out, and LOVE it. I'm pretty impressed with Bright Starts and their products!
I love your posts like this! It helps me know what things really work and what don't! We finally set up a registry this weekend but my mom had to help cause Kevin and I over analyzed everything. I really want to breastfeed too but am very concerned about after I go back to work. I only have 30 minutes for lunch with nowhere private to go pump unless I go to the handicap restroom and will have 4 hour spans in between breaks. It is definitely going to be interesting. I've heard that medela is the best (and most expensive). Kevin and I have been looking around but I think we're going to see if we can rent one from the hospital first to see if it is going to work.
ReplyDeleteWe just used our Graco Duo Quattro stroller for the first time this afternoon when we took our toddler and newborn to the mall. I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it. It was really easy to steer and push around. And it fits nicely in the back of our Kia Spectra 5 if that's any help to you... our trunk/storage space at the back of the car isn't too big so chances are it would probably fit in trunk/storage area of most cars.
ReplyDeleteI would wait a week or so before spending a ton on a pump. Make sure it is right for you. There is nothing wrong if you have to formula feed, but I do wish I would've tried harder to pump longer. Ask my sister b/c she is the pro! She also got that really cool pumping bra. I thought it looked neat & it frees up your hands. You can probably rent a pump for a few weeks?
ReplyDeleteI also love that argyle print! SO CUTE! This is the first time I've seen it!
Hey Kim! It's Amy. Just wanted to leave my story on the breastpump. I did purchase one before Ryan arrived and I used it at the hospital before we left as well. Yes - it's expensive, but you will want a good and fast one - trust me. So go ahead and splurge and get a good one. I pasted the link below to mine. It's a popular one by Medela and works like a champ. I only nursed Ryan for about 1 month and then pumped exclusively. I will probably do the same for the next one. Some people thought it was crazy, but it worked for me. I found my pump on some website for $220 with free shipping. It's at BRU for $270 I think. You will definitely need a pump though right after baby bc you will need to start pumping right away to avoid an infection - heard they are painful! So pump every 2-3 hours. It's alot of work and I wish you the best - I was so happy when I quit I hate to say, but I know it's good for baby. It can be very stressful and inconvenient at times - try pumping in the car! Ha! Anyways, if you have any questions, feel free to email me: amychism03@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2901999
I used my two pack n plays all the time. If you plan on napping or overnighting away from home the first three years . . . have two.
ReplyDeleteI am also a matching dork, so I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI love your list. The only thing I didn't use were the teething tablets as they didn't help with Mads. The blankets are also my fav! Oh and the Bumbo too.
As for the pump, as you know, my mom is a lactation consultant, and if you do not intend on nursing, you need a hospital grade pump. The single user pumps like the Pump N Style and Purely Yours (which I have and LOVE) are not designed for mothers who are exclusively pumping. They will not maintain your supply.
Hi, Kim,
ReplyDeleteMy friend said that she'd wait three weeks if you're going to be home for 6. In those three weeks, she'd focus on just feeding the baby and nothing else-- because then you'll have three weeks to start pumping and storing to get ready for returning to work and whatnot. That will also give you a chance to see if this works for you and if it is something you want to continue or not. If you are having a hard time breastfeeding at night because you can't pass off the bottle to John or something, then you might look at getting a pump earlier. That's when a lot of people quit-- because they are so tired and just can't manage it all, but if they pumped, then it might make it easier. Good luck with it.
Hugs!