3rd Month Must Haves

(Sorry for the delay in this post. Im a tad bit behind schedule with Kingston being 3.5 months and all. Whoops! I'll do better next time. =)) 

As Kingston is getting older and I'm getting in more of a routine - there aren't as many 'new' things that are super must haves. We are still getting a lot of use out of many items from the previous months must haves but below are some of the newest things I'm loving! 

1. Mobile 

When Kingston wakes up in the morning and the random times he's in his crib throughout the day - he loves watching his mobile. This was one of the first projects I made for his room and I'm so glad I did. It is black and white with pops of metallic and it hangs from an air vent so it is constantly twirling. He will lay in his crib watching and talking to it which allows me a few more minutes to get things done. 
(I have one ready to ship on Etsy or I could help create the perfect one for you if you'd like. Email me!)


2. Sensory Crinkle Toys 
We have a black and white star that travels from his car seat to his exersaucer and back to his play mat and then an animals book (Walmart for cheap) - all that crinkle. He loves them and secretly so do I. Whether they are in his mouth or smashed between his hands - any movement makes sounds which keeps him entertained. 


3. Toy Links 
I was gifted some toy links and these are probably the most used toy Kingston has. Each link has a different textured pattern so they are fun to play with on their own or with other toys attached. We primarily use them to hook toys onto his carseat so it makes them reachable or on his exersaucer to add additional toys. If you were to get any toy - get these! Plus they are like 5 bucks. Multifunctional and cheap = awesome! 


4. Slouchy Hats
Kingston lives in these and we purchase our from SugarLime Lane. They fit from 3 months to 18 months, are super comfy and are only $12.50. Kingston has worn hats since birth so he doesn't mess with them at all. I'm so glad we started him when we did because now that it's gotten cold, he has one on all the time and doesn't mess with them at all.
Pardon my obsession! 

5. Tag Blanket
These are the perfect sized blanket to go anywhere with the baby. CT never wanted Kingston to have a 'lovey' but his tag blanket has kind of become the boy version of one. Kingston loves to sleep with something right by his face so this is what always ends up next to it. The soft minky and the interactive ribbon tabs are what make this blanket different than all the others. 

6. Carters Pants
These pants are a mix between leggings and long underwear. Some are thermal waffle looking and others are your basic knit cotton. They are super basic but just my type. I don't always want to mess around with the hassle of jeans so these are the perfect alternative. They are kind of expensive at $24 for 2 pairs - but you can always find them at places like Gordmans and TJMaxx for cheap! 


7. Carters Henley Thermal Onesies
If Kingston only had one piece of clothing in his entire wardrobe it would definitely be his Carters thermal onesies. They aren't 'babyish' and when Kingston wears them I think he looks like a little man. They are great piece to layer with and they wash/wear really well.  

If you haven't checked out my month 1 and month 2 baby must haves and my month 1 and month 2 mama must haves - do so and add them to your registry, your online shopping cart or pin them away for later! 

Product Review: Otteroo - LOVE IT!

Let me preface this post:

 no babies were harmed or upset in the process of making this post. 
Kingston LOVES the water and the freedom the Otteroo gives him.   

CT had a friend on Facebook post a video of her babe in the Otteroo and naturally my first instinct was 'What the heck. That can't be safe or fun for that kid'. After the initial uneasiness of it wore off, I became more intrigued. CT kept talking about how much Kingston would enjoy it because he loves bath time - so I reached out to Otteroo and before you know it we had one coming in the mail. Both CT and I were super excited to get it so you better believe we got Kingston buckled in the moment it arrived. I blew it up while CT got the video camera ready!

What is an otteroo you ask? An otteroo is an infant flotation device that helps transition babes from the womb to the bath and then from the bath to the pool. It's ideal starting from 8 weeks till 35 pounds. 

The otteroo was super simple to maneuver. It took 2 seconds to blow up and then it stretches horizontally to easily fit around your littles neck. It comes with a cushioned chin rest and two simple clasps to keep your little one comfortable and secure.

Obviously, there are hazards like any water device: Don't leave your child unattended in it. Check for proper tube inflation before placing your child in it. Make sure both clasps are secure to ensure it stays secure around your babies neck. 

 At 12 weeks I can tell Kingston is enjoying the freedom it gives him and his favorite thing to do in it is kick off the side of the tub. Right now we are getting 5 good minutes nightly during bath time, but I'm sure before long he is going to outgrow the bath. I'm really looking forward to next summer when we can use it at an actual pool!

 So far we've gotten comments like 'he looks frightened' and 'what is that thing'. 

Ya it may look funky but my child loves it! 

Good job Otteroo! 

For being a CAF reader, you can head over to their website right now and receive 25% off until Nov. 1 using code 25FAIRY2014. 

I hope you little enjoys it as much as mine does! 

2nd Month {Mama} Must Haves

Last month I had a long list of mama must haves and this month is no different. Check out what has helped me conquer the second month of motherhood. 

1. Ceiling Fans
If it's one of those days where Kingston thinks he is too grown for naps, one of the best things to distract the little man is the ceiling fan. This is a life saver when I'm needing to take a shower. I lay him on the bed turn on the fan and I'm able to get 4 minutes of me time in the shower. 


2. Medela Double Electric Breast Pump

($221.99)
Now that Kingston is sleeping through the night, I wake up super engorged. Because of this, he only nurses off of one side during his first feeding of the day. This allows me to pump the other side and I'm so thankful for the electric pump by medela. I'm able to simultaneously feed him and pump. This pump comes with a travel case and a compact cooler, which I know will come in handy when I return to work. 

3. Lush Dry Shampoo 
($13.95)
I never had a big use for dry shampoo before having a baby. Back then I was always able to shower in the morning and style my hair right after. Since having a baby, I get it in whenever I can. This usually happens in the evening when the hubby is home and can entertain the kiddo. Unfortunately, I was blessed with over-producing oil glands in my hair and so when I go to style it the next day it's always greasy. Dry shampoo has helped me conquer the greasiness. I use a powder from Lush Cosmetics and it removes the greasiness. The one thing I'm not loving about it is that I feel like I'm putting corn starch in my hair. When I run out of this bottle I plan on purchasing a spray in dry shampoo. Any recommendations? 


4. 1.5" Curling Iron
($33.99)
Again, because of the lack of time and having to wash my hair at night, a large barreled curling iron has become my new best friend. Since I usually sleep on wet hair, I wake up with waves. This curling iron helps to create additional loose waves in no time at all. These days I spend maybe 4-5 mins curling my hair and it surprisingly turns out pretty good! 



5. Up&Up Milk Storage Freezer Bags
($8.49)
I'm working on building up my freezer stash for when I return back to work and Kingston starts daycare. So far I'm up to about 250oz and they are stored in the Target generic brand Up&Up bags. They are very similar to Medela's bags except half the price. The only problem I have with them is that when I have 5 oz in a bottle and pour it in the bag it reads as an ounce more. I think this is because of the shape of the bags. Just make sure you label it correctly and it shouldn't be a problem.  

6. Hazelnut Coffee Creamer
($4-$12)
No words necessary. I like my creamer with a splash of coffee. You can never have enough of this in your fridge!  


7. V- Neck Tees
($4-$7)
I purchase mine from Gordman's for cheap so when I outwear (which I do because I wear them all the time), then I can just toss them in the trash. I've found that v-necks help with being able to easily breastfeed. Instead of pulling the whole shirt up, I can just pull the v-neck to the side. 


8. Wet Bag
($16.35)
I originally purchased these wet bags for my cloth diapers but I have found that they can be used for so much more! If you have a blow out, dirty spit up burp rags or wet swimming clothes throw them in here and they won't get all over anything else. You can then empty the bag into the washer and toss it in as well. These are a necessity for the diaper bag! 



I still use many items from the first month mama must haves, especially the apps and baby monitor! Life savers for sure!!

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2nd Month {Baby} Must Haves

Here are a few items that have been essential for Kingston's second month of life. 

{If you missed it - check out my first month must haves.}

1. Turtle Sponge Bath Mat

($6.99)

The BEST $7 ever spent! This mat is light weight/easy to store, holds Kingston in place and it helps me gauge how much water I need. I fill up the tub just enough so the whole turtle is submerged and it is the perfect amount of water. This makes bath time so much easier. 

Seriously, don't spend money on any other bath system. This ooption is cheap and super effective.

2. Munchkin Paci Clip

($8.99)

Kingston only takes a paci when he is tired and every other time he spits it out so aggressively. This clip makes things so much easier and I always know where to look for it. We primarily use this in the car and attach it to his shoulder pad of his carseat. That way while I'm driving, I can blindly find the paci and I no longer have to unbuckle and get out of my seat to search all the crevasses for it. 

3. Changing Pad Liner

($15.99)

We purchased the 3 pack of liners from Babies R' Us and have used the heck out of these. One of them is always on our changing pad, one is in the diaper bag so we can use it out and about, and the third is on our changing table waiting to be used. As you all know, babies poop and pee when ever and where ever, and these liners help me from having to change the changing pad cover every day. My boy also tends to spit up almost every time he is getting his diaper changed so these are definitely a must for us. 

4. Carters Zip PJ's

($12.99)

Last month it was nice to have the sleep sacks to make the middle of the night changes easier. I noticed that Kingston would wake up from kicking his legs and getting them caught in the sacks. We were gifted some carters zip up pjs and I love them. What's nice is that they zip up from the top down - so it's like a backwards zipper. I love this because I only have to unzip it half way to change his diaper instead of having to have his whole top half exposed too. 
It keeps the baby warmer which keeps the baby happier! 

5. Bag Balm Ointment

($10.99)

This ointment was originally made for cows udders but was recommend to us to help treat diaper rash, dry skin and everything in between. We have used it during diaper changes and more recently we used it when Kingston scratched his forehead. It smells medicinal (and reminds me of old ladies) so it won't win any prizes for smelling good, but it definitely gets the job done. It comes in a huge 10oz tub which will last us a while I'm sure but the only place we could find it was at Wahlgreens. PS- this is not cloth diaper safe. 

6. Activity Play Mat 

($40.00)

Since Kingston has been starting to see things better and has become way more alert of everything going on around him, the activity play mat has kept him entertained for a few minutes at a time. He isn't able to reach for anything yet, but I make sure to lay him on it to where he can kick the heavy objects. We also do tummy time on the mat and the bright colors really keep his attention. I'm sure this mat will be on or 3rd and 4th month must haves too. It seems to be a 'toy' that grows with them and I love that you can get your moneys worth out of it. 

7. Burp Cloths

($14.50)

I haven't found a brand that I like better than another, but in general burp cloths are essential. We have them everywhere: on the couch arms, on the swing, on the crib, on the changing table, in the diaper bag and on my bedside table. You get the picture. . . you can never have enough of them. Especially since it's the one thing that never seems to be close enough when you need it.

8. Johnson's & Johnson's Lavender Lotion/Bath Soap

($25.70)

I LOVE the smell of this lotion. It smells like a deliciously sweet sleepy baby. We use the 'pink' lotion during the day and the 'purple' lotion at night. It may all be in my head, but I think using two different smells of lotion helps to differentiate between day time and night time for the babe. 

9. Nike Socks

($12.99)

My mom for years would always talk about babies and their need to always wear socks. Well it makes it hard for them to always wear them when the darn things don't like to stay on their tiny little feet. I have found that Nike socks tend to stay on the best and are they are the cutest. Check out your local discount stores like Ross and Gordmans. I've always had good luck finding them there and they are much much cheaper. 

10. Tommee Tippee Bottles

($20-$40)

We use the closer to nature bottles that are supposed to mimic the natural feel of a mothers nipple. Kingston has only taken 6 bottles total and so far they have worked really well for us. I like that these bottles have a slow flow nipple option so the babes don't drown while inhaling the milk. 

Hopefully this was helpful! 

Do you have any other products I should try out? 

Linking up with Leslyn!
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1st Month {Mama} Must Haves

Earlier this week I wrote about 1st Month Month Haves for Kingston. Today I'm going to let you in on a few necessities I've needed to survive this past month.  

1. Cute Tumbler filled with Grape Koolaid

If you are breastfeeding or have breastfed - you know all about that constant thirst.  Unfortunately, I've never been one of those people that love water. I wish I was but I'm not. This past month though, I've had a tumbler beside me at all times and 4/5 times you will find it filled with grape koolaid. I figured since it's essentially sugar water and I'm staying hydrated - it's fine. Once Kingston starts peeing purple, I'll cut back. 

2. Thong Panty Liners

So . . . remember how I ended up having to have a c-section? One would assume after a vaginal delivery that you would bleed for quite awhile - but who knew that after a c-section you would bleed just as much or more. TMI - but I don't wear granny panties so these are a must. 

3. Summer Infant Safe Sight Digital Color Video Monitor

I had such a hard time deciding which monitor to go with and after having the summer infant safe sight color video monitor for a month, I am so happy with my choice. Being a first time mom, I can't imagine not being able to see the baby - especially for us because Kingston has been sleeping in his crib in the other room since day 5. I like this monitor because you can zoom in and out and it comes in both color and automatic night vision. 

4. Nike Athletic Shorts

I have lived in Nike shorts since having Kingston (except for church days). They are so comfy and you don't need to change ever if you don't want to. They are acceptable to wear in front of company, they can be worn to sleep, out on a walk or to Wal-mart. 
They really are multi-functional ... and cute! 

5. Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash

So as soon as Kingston was removed from my tummy - my 14 year old complexion decided to reappear. This face wash is expensive but it is a good product. Thankfully I got it back when I was working at the spa and received a huge bottle at a discount. It's working for me now but zits are super annoying and I'm always looking for a product that works better. 

What do you use to fight acne?

6. Phone App - Assistive Light 

During all of my middle of the night nursing sessions, I turn on this bad boy. I try as careful as possible to keep Kingston in a night time 'sleepy' mode without stumbling around and hurting ourselves. This light is easy to get to on my phone and a total necessity. 

7. Phone App - Feed Baby 

For the past 5 weeks I have been tracking all of Kingston's diapers/feeding sessions/naps. As of today, I will only be using it to track which side he nurses from and how often. Since we are doing the Baby Wise method of nursing ever 2.5/3 hours, it helps having easy access to see when he last ate. This app also has options to track their stats (weight,height,etc) and pumping sessions. It does it all and it's super user friendly. The only thing I wish the free version had was the ability to pause during a nursing session. I've considered purchasing the full version just so I can have that feature. Too many times we pause to burp or readjust. 

8. What to Expect - The First Year

If you read my post about all the stuff I have googled in the first few weeks, you know I am a nervous nelly and have so many questions about everything. This book is awesome and covers any topic imaginable that could come up in the first year of your child's life. I am so glad I was able to borrow this from a friend (thanks Jenna!). 

9. Automatic Car Start

Whether you have a baby in the summer heat or winter cold, having your car the correct temperature prior to getting in is amazing for both mama and baby. I'm so glad I got an auto start for Christmas. It was definitely money well spent. 

10. On Demand/Netflix/Hulu/DVR Subscription 

 I have spent so many hours on my couch in front of the TV the past 5 weeks. With that being said, day time TV is brutal and I have been on the lookout for new shows. Thank goodness for DVR and Netflix.

11. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads

The baby cries - I leak. The baby nurses from one side - I leak from the other. I get out of the shower - I leak. Needless to say ... I'm a fountain and these are essential for me. I was gifted Medela disposable pads but I've had better luck with the Lansinoh brand. They absorb a little better and are odorless. 

12. Gilligan and O'Malley Nursing Bra

I have two of these (wireless) and I couldn't live without them. Enough said. 



13. Covered Goods Nursing Cover
 At first I was able to borrow a nursing cover purchased from Udder Covers. Being a first time mom, it has taken a little practice feeling comfortable nursing in public. One thing I didn't like about the Udder Cover was that it didn't cover your backside. So while I was hiking my shirt up at the volleyball game I had to continue tucking it in in the back so I wasn't exposed. Thanks to instagram I found Covered Goods. Their cover slips over both shoulders, is made from a super cute light weight fabric and covers everything so you don't have to be self conscious about anything being seen. It also can be worn as a scarf or car seat cover if you choose. Multi-functional is the best! 


14. A Friend 
Someone you can ask anything and everything to. Someone that is available to listen to your crazy questions, someone who will give you advice but not get offended if you don't take it, someone who is encouraging and someone who will pray for you. I definitely could not have survived this first month without friends. 


Am I missing anything that would make the next month even easier?

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1st Month {Baby} Must Haves

There are a million and one posts like this floating around the web. I know when I was preparing for Kingston's arrival I logged on to Pinterest only to be bombarded with baby favorites. I was able to learn a lot and see what worked and what didn't for lots of mama's - so I figured I'd give my two cents for anyone who is interested. 

Here are a few items that have been essential for the first month of Kingston's life. 

1. Summer Infant SwaddleMe, 3-Pack, Busy Bees 
($21.36)

These are the exact ones I use every time we put Kingston to sleep. As soon as he is done eating, I wrap him up as snug as a bug in a rug, burp him and then lay him down to sleep. I'm certain he sleeps so well because of these. 

2. Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddle Blanket 
($39.44)

I had so many mamas recommend these blankets to me, especially since I was having a summer baby. I took one look at the price tag and was not going to spend $40 for three blankets. Thankfully, I was gifted a 3 pack and I am oh so happy. They are light weight and the perfect super size to cover the baby or me if I need something quick when nursing. This blanket is a must have for us during every car ride, church trip and walk. 

3. Football Wee-Wee Blocker 
($9.99)

CT and I have both been christened with our little mans urine and needless to say, we weren't using our football blocker at the time.  If you don't want to clean up the walls, the changing table and the changing pad - purchase one of these. And if you purchase it, use it! What good does it do when it's just sitting on your changing table? 

4. Munchkin LATCH Paci 
($5.99)

We love these huge silicone orthodontic pacifiers and so does Kingston. All the lactation people say don't give them a paci until they are at least 2 weeks old to make sure they don't get nipple confusion. Well we broke all the rules and gave it to him in the hospital. I love that they are soft and don't leave marks on his face and it's so cute to see him suck through it. 

5. Britax B-Agile Travel System 
($319.99)

We have this travel system in black and LOVE it!  We use the stroller daily whether we are visiting CT at the football field or when we go on all of our walks. It is so classy looking and functions great. When registering - the stroller and car seat was a tough one for me to decide on, and after a month of use I am 100% happy with our decision! 

6. Mommy Hook 
($6.99)

Of course I decided to go with a huge diaper bag and it doesn't fit so well beneath the stroller. This hook allows for it to hang from the handle bar and gives me easy access to it. Along with the diaper bag, I've hung multiple shopping bags from it and it holds it all. This product definitely makes life easier. I have it in black but they make it in so many fun colors! 

7. Huggies Clutch & Clean Carrying Case 
($8.95)

This wipe case is a necessity for our diaper bag. First of all it's cute and comes in a few fun patterns, and second of all it's compact and does a great job at keeping the wipes moist. We are thinking about cloth diapering (if I can get up the nerve) and I've heard this case is awesome for cloth wipes as well. It's a win/win.

8. Safety 1st Medicine Pacifier 
($1.99)

We have had to give Kingston gripe water and gas drops on two different occasions and we used this pacifier to do so. He was able to take the medication at his own pace and we didn't have to deal with the dispenser and not getting everything swallowed. 

9. Boon Grass & Stem - Drying Rack 
($25.99)

We actually have the lawn (which is bigger than the grass) and the cute flower on our counter. You can also purchase a twig or butterfly if the flower isn't your style. It is a fun/modern drying rack that has a lot of room for multiple items and its drying tray is easy to remove. If everything is going to be displayed on my counter, I'm glad it looks fun! 

10. Sleep Gowns 
($10.99)

Kingston has LIVED in sleep gowns his first month. We have tried ones from Carters/Gerber/etc. and they all get the job done. With as many diaper changes as we do, these gowns are so nice because I don't have to deal with snaps. My favorite ones are the ones that have fold over flaps on the arms to keep the hands covered.  

Hopefully this was helpful! 

What are your must have products?

Linking up with Leslyn!
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