Alright, yesterday I promised I would get started on my list of things I need for Baby X, and it's not complete, but here's what I have so far on the "gotta get it" list:
1. I really want the Fisher-Price Deluxe Rock n' Play Lightweight Plush Sleeper
for next to our bed because it is light, small, and I have heard it works wonders on fussy babies. It also seems perfect for traveling, which we do a lot of to see grandparents.
for next to our bed because it is light, small, and I have heard it works wonders on fussy babies. It also seems perfect for traveling, which we do a lot of to see grandparents.
2. A Diaper Sprayer
. Seriously, I have no idea how I made it through the scary little-baby poop without this thing. NEED it.
. Seriously, I have no idea how I made it through the scary little-baby poop without this thing. NEED it.
3. I think I want the Itzbeen
. I had it on my registry the first time around, but I'm pretty sure I'll be even more exhausted and brain-dead this time, so I'm thinking this might be a good idea. Anyone have one and love it or hate it?
. I had it on my registry the first time around, but I'm pretty sure I'll be even more exhausted and brain-dead this time, so I'm thinking this might be a good idea. Anyone have one and love it or hate it?
4. Real white-noise machines
instead of a huge box fan to magically make my baby sleep. Does anyone have recommendations for me?
instead of a huge box fan to magically make my baby sleep. Does anyone have recommendations for me?
5. Blackout drapes. Please, please, please, Jeremy? I am SO sick of big dark blankets taped to the wall (now you know my secret shame). To be fair to Jeremy, I didn't really want to buy any before either, since I have always had in my head that this home is "temporary," so why buy drapes to fit these windows? Sigh.
I don't have a picture or a link, because no matter where I search -- amazon, babies r us, etc. -- they all have a crazy range of reviews. Half of the reviews say a certain brand is the greatest thing ever, and the other half say they block zero light and are worthless. Seriously, all the reviews for ALL the blackout curtains are like this. What's a gal to do? Any suggestions?
6. More hooded towels
. I swear, we have these, but we are always out at bathtime!
. I swear, we have these, but we are always out at bathtime!
7. Some REAL swaddle blankets. This baby is not going to kick her way out and refuse to be swaddled past the ripe old age of three days old. No ma'am.
And then there's projects. OH, the PROJECTS I want to complete! I can't wait for that nesting energy to kick in, because I am BEAT lately, and have so many things I could be doing! Baby X even has her own board on Pinterest so I can collect ideas. Here are just a few of the things I would love to get accomplished before Baby X arrives:
1. A door muff, to keep it nice and quiet when you go in and out of a sleeping baby's room. I would like to make one for both my girls' rooms, especially because we have terrible, old, noisy doors.
2. A 2-in-1 diaper bag that goes from messenger bag to stroller bag. I love this blogger, and she has great instructions!
3. A car seat canopy -- so much smarter than just throwing a blanket on top and hoping it doesn't fly off!
4. I'm obsessed with these baby gowns from old t-shirts!
5. And I really wish I had this travel chair when Josie was little. Heck, I could still use one for her now, to keep the crazy kid strapped down when there is no highchair to be found!
6. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I'm having a hard time with the idea of possibly taking the glider out of Josie's room and moving it into Baby X's room, because, well ... she's still kind of my baby, too, and at this point we still use it for her. SO, I am thinking about keeping a lookout for a super-cheap used glider and recovering the cushions! One of my blogger friends already did it, and if I can get a chair for cheap enough, it would totally be worth it!
7. I will probably try to make a swaddle blanket or two of my own and see how those work out before buying any, but you never really know.
8. I'm also going to make a nursing cover (but I don't plan on hanging it from a tree ...). There were only about a handful of times that I REALLY wished I had one with Josephine, but I think this time, with my "helpful" older child around all the time, keeping the baby out of sight while she's eating might be for the best!
9. And, of course, I'll have to make a special blanket for this baby like the one I made for Josephine!
Then, of course, are all the things I WISH I could make, but would have to learn how to crochet. Why do I keep pinning projects if I can't crochet?!?!!
(Starting top left) pink booties, turkey hat, mary jane booties, very hungry caterpillar, and Converse booties
7. I will probably try to make a swaddle blanket or two of my own and see how those work out before buying any, but you never really know.
8. I'm also going to make a nursing cover (but I don't plan on hanging it from a tree ...). There were only about a handful of times that I REALLY wished I had one with Josephine, but I think this time, with my "helpful" older child around all the time, keeping the baby out of sight while she's eating might be for the best!
Then, of course, are all the things I WISH I could make, but would have to learn how to crochet. Why do I keep pinning projects if I can't crochet?!?!!
(Starting top left) pink booties, turkey hat, mary jane booties, very hungry caterpillar, and Converse booties
Well, that's it. Not much, right? :)
Seriously, though, PLEASE add to the list. If there is something you couldn't live without, leave a comment. Or, if you haven't done it yet but wonder if something is useful or useless, leave a comment. Let's get a good baby product conversation going, and maybe I will do another post with everyone's top picks and questions!
Well, I *really* like the one pictured -- I think it's called something crazy like the snuggle bunny edition -- because it has a lot more padding to cradle the baby, and it is *only* like ten bucks more, but in all honesty, I feel like any color or model should realistically be fine, right? Color shouldn't matter that much, especially if one is cheaper. I was standing over one at a mom 2 mom sale, considering it (it was $40, not too much of a "used" discount) when another mom snatched it right away from me. So sad.
ReplyDeleteAll that stuff is so cute and makes me itch for a baby.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's all adorable, but just cherish your time to do all the things I see you do on Instagram! Go out to dinner, go to bars, snuggle and do nothing! Ahhh. Then if/when you have a baby, you will know you got the most out of life "before"!
DeleteWOW! What a great list! I'd never even seen or heard of #2 and #3. Those are seriously great ideas. I used a sound machine with Anthony and Molly and it was fantastic! It really did help them sleep I believe. I just used the cheap one I got at Walmart (and it still works 5 years later and is ready to use for upcoming baby), but the one on your list looks way better! I only used the white noise one setting. Didn't find that the other noise settings helped any. As for the black out/thermal curtains, DO IT!! Both the kiddos have them and it truly helps. I bought mine at: bedbathstore.com and got this kind: http://www.bedbathstore.com/cottonducktabs.html totally works for us because not only do they block out the light, but are thermal too. There's lots of other kinds on that site. Definitely worth a looksie!
ReplyDeleteI really like the door muff project! I hope you find the time and energy to do all the projects you want to do. :)
Thanks, thanks for all the comments! One question about the curtains -- do you have them in a light color or a dark color? A lot of the reviews I read said the curtains worked fine as long as they were a dark color but the light colors stunk. I would want a lighter color, so I don't really want to waste my money!
DeleteThanks again!
I have green in the living room, brown in little guy's room, and cream in little gal's room. It is true that the darker ones work wonderfully and the lighter ones aren't as grand. The cream one works well enough for us to the point where I kept it and didn't return it because her room doesn't get the bright morning or afternoon sun so it blocked out enough light to keep me happy. However, if the room is going to get that bright sunshine, I'd say choose something at least darker than cream. I hope you're able to find something that works! I hate wasting money!
DeleteThanks!! Also, do you happen to remember the brand of white noise machine that you bought and is still kicking?
Deletehttp://www.walmart.com/ip/HoMedics-SoundSpa-Portable-Sound-Machine/2686012
DeleteThis is the one that we have. Super simple, but still working after 5 years. I would put it on and leave it on all night and I swear by it. It's the "waterfall" setting that sounds like white noise (because there is no actual "white noise" setting on it) and that's the one the kids liked. Sometimes for fun I'd put it in my room and use the summer night setting. :)
Thank you!! I think the hardest part about picking out a sound machine based on comments is that what one person thinks is really really loud, another person thinks is way too quiet. We would like a really loud machine that blocks noise from the rest of the house. I guess we will just have to bite the bullet and start buying and returning if they don't work, but I HATE doing that! I'm glad you sent this, though, because I might have to grab one of these soon and try it out!!! It's good to know that it lasts forever!
DeleteAwwww! thank you!! Josie and Baby X have the best grandma!!!!
ReplyDeleteYoung House Love had a tutorial awhile back where she bought black out fabric and attached it to the existing curtain panels. Not sure how that compares money wise to regular black out panels, but it's on my to do list. We have Ikea panels, and I think I'm just going to use iron on adhesive to attach the blackout fabric to the top and cross my fingers that it works.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know what others think about the ItzBeen and the white noise machine. I had the ItzBeen on my registry but took it off because I read that the Iphone app "Baby Connect" was better. And some people swear by white noise machines so hopefully someone knows about a good model.
I also stole that baby swaddle blanket tutorial from your Pinterest - it's on my to do list too. :)
Oooh, that is a thought, too! I will just wait until you do the panels and report back on how it worked! ;)
DeleteWe definitely love the fan in Josie's room, so I would love to have a rec on a good white noise machine to replace it. It really made her into a stellar sleeper!
Okay, found the tutorial on Young House Love. Definitely a cheaper option than buying them! I was wondering about how they will ever meet in the middle? Will there always be a slit with light shining through? I will comment over there, but I don't think they're the type of bloggers who have time to respond to comments! For SURE let me know if you try this!!
Deletei never really thought about the slit. maybe I could just put a little clothespin onto the two panels when i want it to be really dark? i'll keep you posted.
DeleteMy two cents on the Itzbeen: a smartphone can do just as much, and honestly, I was so braindead I couldn't remember how to use another device. Plus, my older boy played with it and loved to push allll the buttons so it was useless. Save your money and use an egg timer or your phone!
ReplyDeleteAll good points ... but I have a lame Android, so I don't know if there is a comprable app worth using. I also didn't think of the wild toddler pushing all the buttons! D'oh! But, I have to hide my cell phone (and subsequently lose it every day) if I don't want my whole phone rearranged and apps deleted, so I guess even using the smartphone app might not be that great. Sigh. I was hoping the Itzbeen would be a magical solution to keep me organized! Thanks for the advice!
DeleteIn our last place, a home we owned and I thought I'd be in for awhile, we got a custom blackout shade from JCPenny that I *loved*. But very expensive. In our current rental I bought a cheap tension blackout shade from Home Depot (depending on size they're as low as $15 or so). They will cut to fit the width. We just hung it right over the existing mini blinds (but with an outside mount to block more light) and when I roll it up our curtain valance completely covers it. It's not the most beautiful option but an option nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteOh! Good idea! I just read a blog where she bought the blackout material from Joann Fabric and hung it behind the curtains, but I was wondering how she ever got the two sides to actually meet in the middle? Wouldn't light come in through the slit? Thanks so much for the suggestion!
DeleteWe had a really hard time with white noise machines. They all died on us. That said, the best one we had was this DexBaby one -- I loved that you could leave it on all night, and our friends have this one that has never died on them and they've had it a year. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008439C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=poldotandpea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00008439C)
ReplyDeleteWe currently have a CD player that I play her lullaby CD on, and I plan to get another to play a white noise CD on when we have another baby. It hasn't died on us yet, it's lasted a whole lot longer than any of the others. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y3A9QO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=poldotandpea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004Y3A9QO)
Oooh, thanks for both the white noise machine model and the CD idea. I guess I remember reading that on your blog before (maybe?). Great advice, thanks!
DeleteI am a new Granny to three little ones (2.5 years, 7 months, 3 weeks) and one of the gifts the moms appreciate is a waterproof pad covered in soft cuddle flannel. I bought "rubber sheeting" at JoAnn and covered it with cute novelty flannels and used decorative stitches around the edge. I have also made flannel burp cloths but they are more common as shower gifts. I have also had fun making little taggies with the crinkle provided by a microwave popcorn cellophane wrapper. They helped the 7 month old survive those long Christmas flights to see Great Nana and her cousins.
ReplyDelete