Top 10 Baby Products

I have several friends who are expecting their first babies, and have come to me asking about certain baby products. I was always on the search for these kinds of lists when I was pregnant with Rubes, so I figured it might help one of the ten people that read my blog!
I'm of the mindset that you could of course raise a baby without any of this stuff, but these products have definitely made life with a baby easier and more convenient! There is nothing wrong with convenience when you are a sleep deprived new mama (or ever, really!).

1. Boppy Pillow.

So simple, yet so amazing. Up until recently, I had used the boppy every single day since Ruby was born. I fed her for the first time ever on it, and we never looked back. Now that she is older, sturdier, and prefers to roll, twist and kick while she eats we don't really use it anymore. However, those first few weeks when she was nursing like a maniac I really don't know what I would have done without it. I kind of got dependent on it for a while and almost didn't even feel comfortable nursing Ruby without it...shows how much I really love that thing!

This kind of counts as a separate product, but I'm not going to count it! I have found that if you have a good, sturdy cover for the boppy it mantains its shape much better. With a flimsy cover, it tends to flatten out, but with a cover like this adorable one I got from For the Love of Joy etsy shop it keeps its shape really well which helps hold the baby up.

2.  Play gym.

Play gyms are for puppies, too!

We have used this almost daily since around 3 weeks or so. Once Ruby started getting past that sleepy newborn fog stage (around the same time we FINALLY got back into our own house after hurricane Isaac), she wanted to do more than just lay in my arms. This play gym from infantino was the perfect solution. There are so many different versions of this, with less expensive and more expensive options. Honestly, I chose this one because of the pattern. I loved the vintage, quilted look and wanted to get away from brightly colored animal prints as much as possible. It's easy to fold up, and stores in the corner of our living room very nicely when it's not in use. We mostly leave it out in the middle of our living room floor all the time, and take it down if we are having company. Even now with Ruby sitting and moving around more, she still loves to pull on, chew on, and play with the animals that hang down.

newborn Ruby using her playgym for the first time

3. Carseat toy.

 It's technically called "Baby Einstein Busy Belly Toy Cow", we lovingly refer to him as Cow, aka Ruby's BFF. I don't exactly remember when we put Cow on her infant-seat, but it was love at first sight. Cow has saved our ears many times in the car, and has turned some what could have been deafening situations into a smiling good time. She looooves to pull on Cow and make his belly vibrate. It makes a noise that she is a big fan of, and I'm sure it was good for her hand-eye coordination when she was first learning to grab stuff. Bravo, Baby Einstein for creating a genius toy!

4. Baby Carrier.

There are SO many to choose from out there. I have used two primarily. The Moby wrap, and the Ergo. Here's my two cents on them:
The Moby is great for when they are teeny tiny and can just fold into a little ball. I was a little afraid to put my tiny baby into the Ergo (I felt like it was going to swallow her*). I used the Moby a lot while doing stuff around the house and only twice outside of the house. I can remember that I only used it twice outside the house because both times I regretted it. Because it is made from a extremely long piece of pretty thick fabric, and you are carrying a tiny little ball of warms right next to your hormonal body, that thing gets HOT. That being said, it's still wonderful for indoor use. Having the Moby allowed me to get dinner cooked, dishes put away, and two free hands to do whatever I pleased on many occasions.

The Ergo is definitely more sturdy and straightforward than the Moby. The Moby can take a while to master how to use, and the Ergo is pretty simple. I preferred the Ergo once Ruby got a little bigger and could hold her head up better, and have used it very often since then. I use it to go shopping, on walks, and it has really come in handy for trips that involve the airport. If you are wearing your baby while going through security, you (most of the time) do not have to take the baby off. I wasn't aware of this until we travelled to Texas for the first time and it was a breeze taking Ruby through security with her in the Ergo. It is SO comfortable, lightweight, and never hurts my shoulders. It's definitely a pricey item, but worth every penny if you are for sure going to wear your baby often.

Airport nap thanks to the Ergo

I really wanted a Sakura Bloom Sling. Mostly because, oh my goodness they look so pretty. But I decided against spending such a crazy amount of money on yet another baby carrier when I already have two perfectly good ones. Maybe for the next baby... :)
*side note: there is a newborn insert available for the Ergo, but I couldn't justify spending money on that when I knew she would grow out of it so quickly. I also read that you can roll up a receiving blanket and put it under the baby's bottom, but I never tried this either.

5. Swaddle Blankets.

first night at home...so tiny and new. 

I'm going to keep this one short because I just realized how lengthy this is getting, and who wants to read all of that?! We LOVE the Aiden and Anias swaddle blankets. Especially the bamboo kind....SOOOO soft (and beautiful). We used those until Ruby started busting free from them. After that, we made the switch to SwaddleMe blankets which have velcro so it's harder for the baby to wiggle out. We stopped swaddling once we realized that she slept SO much better on her tummy (I know, back is best...but sleep is also pretty great), but while we were swaddling, those were great. There is just something so, so, so sweet about a swaddled baby.

6. Wubbanub.

Our dear sweet friend, Wubby. He helped Ruby learn how to find her paci in the middle of the night and helped keep it from rolling out of reach. He saved me a lot of pacifier replacement wake-up calls. I feel silly that this is one of my top baby products, but it really has been a sleep saver for us. Now she just loves to cuddle with it, and it's super adorable.

7. Breast Pump.
Self explanatory. I wanted to breast-feed Ruby as long as possible, but also had to go back to work. This amazing invention (as much as I hate it some days) allows me to make it work. I wish I would have bought it before I had her but didn't because I wasn't sure if breastfeeding would work for us, and didn't want to spend 300 bucks on something that I wouldn't use**. The first week of breast-feeding was miserable and I think it could have been a lot better had I been able to pump. Live and learn, though. I have the Medela Pump in Style. It works great for me, and I have absolutely no complaints.
**Little piece of info that I didn't know before I had Ruby: With the new(ish) preventive care act, breast-feeding supplies are covered by your insurance company. Some are 100% covered! Just check with your insurance company. I had to buy mine through the hospital, that way I could send an itemized receipt into my insurance (which places like babies-r-us and target cannot provide). I got a check in the mail a few months later paying me back for everything except the tax on it!

8. Mesh Feeder. 

Ruby is pretty stubborn when it comes to trying to do things herself. That coupled with teething pain can make a girl a little cranky. Cue the wonderful mesh feeder. Plop a frozen slice of peach in that thing and let her go to town. She loves it. And so do I.

9. Stroller.

I love our stroller. It's easy to fold, lightweight, turns great, handles rough New Orleans side walks easily, and even has a little ipod plug in! Our stroller was not expensive, but definitely feels like it should have been. You can spend an arm and a leg on a stroller, but I highly recommend the baby trend one. It's inexpensive, and effective.

10. Squeaky Monkey Toy

Infantino Go Ga Ga Squeaky Teether is the cheaper version of Sophie the Giraffe. Ruby absolutely LOVES this thing. I think that it feels good on her gums, and the squeak always makes her so happy.

Honorable Mentions:
-Amber Teething Necklace

-Rocking chair

-Johnny Jump Up

-O-ball

complete with the spit up waterfall!

A New Chapter

I mentioned a few posts back that I might have some exciting news to share soon.
It's true.
About a week ago I accepted a new job as a school nurse! I am incredibly excited about this opportunity, I really cannot wait to get started! I gave my two week notice this past Monday, which means my last day at my current job will be this Friday. It's bittersweet, as most new chapters in life are. I have built so many meaningful relationships and learned so much at Emeritus. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will definitely be going back at least monthly to visit my sweet residents who are so very special to me. While it's hard to leave, I also know that I am going to love my new job. I am so excited to get to work with kids, and get more time with my Ruby girl. I'm thankful for the blessing of change, even though it can be hard.
We've been casually looking at houses, which is pretty fun! It's so fun to walk through places and imagine our family growing there, as well as imagining what history the walls of all those rooms hold. We keep going back and forth on "are we really ready for this?", which most likely means we're not. It's still fun to dream, nonetheless. Ruby likes looking at houses, too. Our real estate agent keeps telling us that she is the best house hunting baby she's ever met. She enjoys testing the acoustics in the houses by squealing in each room.
We had our final home visit for our (never-ending) foster care certification (we started in November 2011). Our case-worker said that she thinks that we should be certified by the second week of April. We definitely aren't holding our breath, seeing as though it could take much longer, but are hopeful and excited for that change as well!
Andrew has some neat and exciting things going on at his job as well. He moved into a new office where Ruby loves to visit and help him send emails. Andrew is still enjoying his ministry with our boys, and is starting to work on connecting them with families in our church. It's neat to see his ministry grow and change, and I feel grateful to get to be apart of it.

So, there you have it. That's all of our news in a nutshell.

And here are some Ruby pictures for those of you who come to this blog strictly for that reason.

Ruby Movies

A few of my recent favorite videos of Ruby-girl. 

She is so much fun!

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Ruby -- Six Months

Well, I'm about week overdue for Ruby's six month blog post. This month was definitely the most challenging when it came to taking pictures of our VERY busy, active girl. She was not into looking at the camera this month. It was kind of chilly, we were dealing with baby girl's 5th cold, and I'm still learning how to use my new lens. Not the best combo for great pictures, I still got some adorable ones though. It's hard not to when you have a model as cute as Ruby-girl! 

As I said above, my poor baby had another (two) colds this month. It never really got too severe like before, just snotty and congested. She deals with it like a champ though and is for the most part still our happy go lucky little girl. Plus, she's gotten quite good at the snot bubble: 

Ruby is SO active! She wants to moving, grabbing, and chewing on something at all times, OR ELSE. If she is forced to sit still you will know that she is unhappy! She has started making this hilarious growling noise when she wants something or is frustrated. She tucks her chin into her chest and lets out this low "grrrrrrrrrrr". It cracks us up, and usually gets her what she wants pretty quickly.

While Ruby is still very social, smiley, and doesn't mind other people holding and loving on her she is getting a *little* more reserved. She has started playing this little "shy game", when someone comes over to us and talks to her she smiles and then throws herself into my shoulder, then look back and do the same thing again. She's cute, and she knows it. She is definitely 100% aware of who mama and daddy are, she lights up when she sees us and of course it just melts our hearts every time. 

Unfortunately Ruby is still teething, but with no results. She is in visible discomfort sometimes, but I cannot feel or see any teeth in the making. She typically handles it really well, but when the fussies come, a frozen peach slice is always a helpful relief for those poor, sore gums. EVERYTHING goes into the mouth, and when there is not something nearby, the trusty limbs are always there for backup! 

She's a sitting up champ now, and it's definitely her preferred way of playing. She hasn't had any huge milestones this month, besides trying to pull up. She doesn't quite have the strength to do it on her own yet, but I have a feeling it's coming soon. She knows if I put my hands out to her that she has the opportunity to stand and she loves it so much. She grunts when pulling herself up like "whew, this is so, so hard!" and it's so, so cute! 

 Ruby and Banjo are officially BFFs. He was what got her first true giggles out of her and the relationship has just grown since then. She smiles and laughs when he runs into the room, and absolutely loves to "pet" him. We've been trying to teach her that puppies aren't for chewing and tails aren't for pulling, but she has a way to go until she gets it, I think. ;) He was another factor that made this photo shoot particularly difficult. 

Laughing at her buddy

 Month 6 was by far her best month for sleep so far! Ruby is sleeping consistently from around 8:00-8:30 until around 5:30-6:30 am. One Saturday she slept ELEVEN hours until 8am, ate and then cuddled in bed with us until around 9. It was heaven. I was so proud of our girl for figuring out what Saturdays are all about! Sleep is one of those things I had extremely unrealistic expectations about before Ruby was born. I read all the hip baby sleep books that absolutely promise that your baby will be sleeping through the night at eight weeks. While that works for some babies, I've learned that all babies are different and it's virtually impossible to go by the books. Especially if you have a life like ours that requires flexibility. So, yes, it has taken her MUCH longer to sleep through the night that I ever would have thought or hoped, but I really don't mind. She's happy and healthy, just didn't really like sleep as much as some babies do. Heck, there are still nights that she decides to wake up at 2 am for some cuddles and a little nursing, and even thought it can be a bit discouraging and frustrating in the morning, I always wake up the next morning thankful for that extra time together.

She is finally starting to enjoy eating solids. I have made sweet potatoes, avocados, and pears. Ruby has also taken a liking to peach slices and cut up banana. She's definitely still learning how to chew and has had a few gaging episodes, but no real chokes, thank goodness. I really enjoy making my own baby food. I love knowing what is going into Ruby's little body, and it's really nice when she likes "my cooking". I know we are saving a ton of money with me making the food too, so that's a big plus as well!

Ruby weighed in this month at 18 pounds even and 25 inches long (I obviously was wrong on her last post from her 4 month doctor appointment, because she most definitely didn't shrink!). That means she gained 2 pounds in 2 months, and no length. 6 month size is getting a little snug, but she still fits into them. She is mostly wearing 6 month and 6-12 month sizes with a few 3-6 month outfits thrown in there. Our sweet, chunky girl. There is nothing better than chewing on her sweet thighs. THE. BEST. I tell you. She has almost TRIPLED her birth weight at 6 months old...kinda crazy. What can I say, my girl likes to eat...and I guess I make some nutritious milk.

 
As Ruby grows, so does her personality and that of course means that she is gaining some dislikes. Up until recently she hasn't really had much of an opinion on much which I have just associated her with being a laid back, and "easy" baby. While I wouldn't say that she is no longer either of those things, she has most definitely learned what she likes and doesn't like. Some of her dislikes include:
-SLEEVES. You guys, they are THE WORST THINGS EVERRRRR according to Ruby. She can be happy, smiling, kicking her fat little legs and the second you start putting her arms through sleeves. It's over. Might as well get ready to hear her scream until you get those arms through, which by the way is not easy when she's fighting against you with all of her might.
-Not being able to reach something. This is very frustrating for her her, and I can just see her whole body fill up with frustration. She growls and stretches and when she still can't get to it, end up fussing for whatever she's wanting.
-Getting things taken away from her. She has started wanting to "feed herself" during dinnertime. She grabs the spoon and gets so ticked off when I take it back to put more food on it. She's happy as a clam when I give it back to her. Such a stinker.
-Growing teeth. Self explanatory.
-Not being able to fit everything into her mouth. She wants everything to go into her mouth, and sometimes her mouth is just too small and the object is just too big. Not a fan.

I'm not trying to make her sound like a cranky baby, because she's not by ANY means. She is a complete and total hambone, and is just coming into her little big personality. Quirks and opinions are part of growing, and we are whole-heartedly embracing Ruby's strong-willed, sweet, quirky personality. I can definitely see parts of Andrew and I's personalities coming out and traits of her own that are blossoming. Overall though, just like I've said every other month, she's happy, sweet, and a complete delight. She loves to giggle, smile, and lights up everyone's life that she comes in contact with.

We love her. So very much.
Who wouldn't?

My Rubes, 

Sweet girl, I've already written to you some about how you being half a year old has made me feel, and yeah, I'm a little sappy about it all. You know why? Because it has just gone by so very fast, darling girl. Your life so far has been a magical, special, happy, incredible whirlwind. I can't believe you are already 6 months old, and I know I'll be right here saying almost the exact same thing in another 6 months. You know what they say, that "time flies when you're having fun"? That has never been more true in our lives than it is now. We are having so much fun with you, and time is FLYING by. You are becoming such a fun, smart, and hilarious little girl and we are so very proud of who you are. You light up our world, beautiful baby. 

We love you more than words can say, 

Mama 

aaaand, we're done. 

Life List

I started a word document named "Life List" my freshman year of college. I was going through some pretty dramatic changes in my life (as most people do their first year of college), and wanted to write down some of my dreams, goals, and hopes for the rest of my life. Since making that list I have opened it a few times to mark things off and maybe add a few more things. It's funny, because I have changed SO much since then, but I have never taken one thing off the list, just added things to it.
I'm sharing it for fun, because I like thinking about the possibility of all of these things happening.
I smile when I read this list, because I would have never guessed the direction my life would go when I wrote it almost 6 years ago. I don't think I EVER dreamt of crossing of "meet and marry my best friend" and "become a mom" so early in life. Even though this list contains many, many things that might never happen for me; it teaches me to not even think about that they might never happen, because heck, they COULD! I love that.

Swim with dolphins in the ocean

Become a mom

Eat pizza in Italy                                                                                                                  Graduate College

Become foster parents

Adopt a child from foster-care

Dance in a flash-mob

Zip-line through a rainforest

Pay off my student loans as quick as possible

Go on a last minute cruise

Take my kids to concerts

Travel cheaply, and stay in hostels

Adopt a puppy/dog from a shelter

Read the bible cover to cover multiple times

Go to Wrigley Field with my husband

Meet and marry my best friend.

Get backstage passes to a concert

See the Grand Canyon

Have a kitchen with big black and white tile (and teal black-splash…)

Tile a black-splash in our kitchen myself

Go to Hawaii

Teach my dog to play frisbee

Teach my dog to be a therapy dog, and take him/her to hospitals and nursing homes

Stand under the Eiffel tower

Go back to Big Bend with my cousins (my cousins and I went every summer with my grandparents when we were kids)

Have a garden in our backyard and grow our own food

Backpack Europe with our future kids

Whale watch

Have family traditions that our kids love and look forward to

Drive a VW van (this has been a dream of mine since I was in elementary school)

Find the Emmylou Harris Wreaking Ball album on vinyl and give it to Andrew as a present

Have an open shower with more than one showerhead

Make clothes for my kids

Go to a floating lanterns festival

Go skiing with my husband

Find a job that I love AND get to help people at every single day

Live somewhere outside the US for a year, or more

Run a marathon, or a half marathon. I would be happy with either (so, realistically, half.)

See Over the Rhine live

Go to Africa and work in a clinic

Be a stay at home mom when my kids are little ones

Learn Spanish

Meet Oprah

Live close to an ocean

Pay for my kids’ college

Visit my cousins in Boston

Give someone a scholarship for college

Don’t eat sugar for a month

Live on enough land to have a horse or two

Try to surf

Actually learn to surf

Read all the books on our bookshelf (quite a task, I assure you)

Feel confident in a swimsuit

Dye my hair

Learn how to deliver babies and become a midwife

Deliver babies in a third world country

Go to New York and find Central Perk (the coffee shop from Friends) (not sure if it actually exists so this one might be impossible)

Cook dinner every night for a month

Be a mom my kids want to stay in contact with

Have a picnic at the park in Belton where my husband proposed

Learn to salsa dance/ballroom dance

Watch our Bunny Friend boys graduate high school. 

Get a Masters Degree

Own a house with a big front porch

Sit on said front porch rocking on our babies in rocking chairs

Host a foreign exchange student

Learn to play the piano

Get a tattoo

Train for a triathlon

Raise chickens for fresh eggs 

Half a Year

Half a year ago around 2am, just two short hours after meeting your beautiful self for the first time, I got wheeled into a cold and tiny postpartum hospital room. 

Exhausted from the journey we just took together, your dad fell asleep quickly on the fold out chair contraption that was his bed for the next 2 nights. 

I laid in the bed cold and hurting, longing to hold you again. 

The nurse brought you in, you were swaddled tightly and were warm when she handed you to me. She told me how beautiful you were and that you were strong and healthy. We shared a little laugh about how the nursery was crowded and all the babies were crying. The nurse said that when she looked over at you in your bassinet you were just laying there with your eyes big and open, blinking slowly, taking it all in. My girl. 

She left and turned the lights off saying "please call when you decide you want some rest, I'll come back and get her from you....congratulations." 

I smiled and nodded, sat up in bed and undid your tight swaddle so I could study your sweet, tiny body. 

Your skin was still wrinkly from swimming around in my belly for almost 10 months, your lips pink and soft, and your hair still a little wet from the bath the nurse gave you in the nursery. 

You let out a soft, squeaky cry, probably slightly perturbed that I just released you from your tight, comfy cocoon. I unbuttoned my hospital gown at the top and slipped you in to be closer to where you came from. I felt you relax, all 6 pounds of you on my chest. I took a deep breath and relaxed my body just like you had just done. 

You were here. My girl. 

My heart would never be the same. 

I held you that way for over an hour, staring down at your beautiful profile. I don't really remember what I was thinking about during these precious moments. I mostly just remember being silent, breathing you in and stroking your fuzzy hair and soft skin. 

Once you started to stir, I fed you, and you quickly went back to sleep. We cuddled until the sun came up. I don't think I took my eyes off of you once. 

The doctor came in early and your dad woke up. I handed you over to him and you drew him in just like you had done to me. 

You have a way of doing that to us, Ruby. A way of stealing our hearts and making us feel like we have loved you all our lives, whether it's been 6 hours or 6 months. It feels like you have always been right here in our hearts. 

I'm thankful for those quiet, still moments we got to spend together 6 months ago. I will never forget those first moments of getting to know you, my darling girl. 

You are so very precious to us. 

Happy Half Birthday, Ruby. 

I love you, 

Mama

Favorite February Faces

My girl turns half a year old tomorrow. 

Lets take some time to enjoy some of my favorite pictures of 5 month old Ruby-girl.