Crucial Baby Products for those Early Months

I find that after having my second son there are some items that were even more important to have around this time than the first.  We were lucky enough to not have to buy much since our second was a boy as well.  We had all the clothes covered, all the gender neutral gear in case we had a girl, tons of bottles which we didn't end up needing this time around (yay), but we did add a few things to the mix.  Here's a list of some of the things that I found so very important this time around and also some of my favorites from our first.

BabyHawk Mei Tai Baby Carrier 

Hands down this has been the most important thing in my collection since L arrived.  N, my older son is still very much "I want my momma" kind of boy.  When little L came along he didn't give up his thrown easily, or at all for that matter.  This carrier saved me.  I was able to rush around after N, cook him dinner, and still give L the attention and cuddling he needed.  While out and about with N I had two hands to play with and make sure N wasn't running out into the middle of the street.  It was so much easier than carrying L around with my hands or with a car seat!  The best part is you can design your very own Mei Tai.

aden + anais 4-pk. Safari Friends Swaddles

No swaddle, no receiving blanket, no bib, no security toy, no nursing cover, no changing pad (you get the point) can compare to these swaddles.  I honestly used these Aden + Anais swaddles for everything under the sun.  They are super lightweight, breathable, HUGE, and on top of all that adorable.  I get stopped everywhere I go from moms trying to find out where I got these adorable blankets.  They are a tiny bit pricey but so worth it.  I have had the same four since my first son was born and they are in amazing shape.  We use them everyday, have washed them hundred of times and they are in even better shape now.  They get softer each time you wash them.

Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support, Brown Wheels

For those of you who don't remember, my first was diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly when he was a few months old.  He was fitted with a DOC Band after strenuous repositioning for a few weeks and ended up wearing the band for 11 weeks.  Although I do firmly believe a lot of the problem was how he was positioned in utero, I think it could have been helped if he didn't sleep on his back.  Although I am a strong believer in back to sleep, I think there are definitely things you can do to ease the amount of time babies are on their backs the rest of the day.  For one, the carrier, and two this noggin nest.  It has been amazing this time around and I think it has definitely helped for times that L just has to be on his back, which is a lot when you have two young ones.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether

Oh yes, I said it.  I never thought I would give into the craze but when I had a teething 3 month old who wouldn't take a pacifier, I did.  This is literally the only thing, besides our fingers that L could get into his mount that young.  Best part is he could even hold it.  My husband became a believer the second I brought Sophie home.  N, our older son, also took a liking to Sophie so she does double duty.  My favorite part about Sophie is her handcrafted, nontoxic paint.  It makes me feel so much better when L is chomping away.

Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper, Yellow

By far the most used  new purchase we made was this Rock 'n Play.  Neither of our children were very big into their bassinets.  N slept in his crib from 3 weeks on, but L was a constant nurser and waker (and still is).  Because of this I was eager to find any solution that would result in L sleeping longer at night, for naps, which didn't just result in me being a pacifier/swing 24 hours a day.  I read the rave reviews and bought this.  It was amazing and still is.  Although L didn't start sleeping any longer it did allow us to just rock him without continuously picking him back up during all the awakenings at night.  It helps with extending naps and makes the baby feel snuggled because of the sides.  It is very mobile so when staying other places we are able to bring this along.  I am actually using my foot to bounce L right now while he is trying to wake up early from his nap!  Did I mention how much I love this thing?!

Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller - Seagrass

 Expensive, but so worth it!  It is so easy to push around and the kids love it.  My older son loves riding around in it and I love pushing it!  The colors are great and I have used it on runs, walks around town, and even in the mall.  It is a little heavy when loading in and out of the car and does take up quite a bit of room, but I couldn't be happier with this stroller.  I have a feeling it will last a very long time!


I hope I have lent some input into some gadgets you might consider before you first or next baby!  Happy shopping!

Sibling Love: Getting your Two Year Old to Love your Newborn

I thought the day would never come.  For those of you that read my earlier posts since my second L was born, you know that it was not an easy start.  But, hey, what is easy about two under two.  Not only was I an emotional roller coaster, hanging on dearly to my two year old who I had become so in love with that not even my new little bundle of joy could compete with, but N wanted nothing to do with his younger brother.

It wasn't as bad as it could have been.  N wasn't beating, kicking, or throwing anything at his brother, it was more of just a tasteful disdain;  he just didn't care.  No matter how many times the other toddlers we know would drool over this cute little baby and want to grab and kiss him, N had no desire.  I think he thought if he just ignored him we would get rid of him.

The hardest parts were when I would hold L and N would politely say and point, "put L here," and point to his bouncy or swing.  Not only didn't he want to get close to his brother, he didn't want me getting closer either.

Let me not scare all of you who are expecting a second.  These early months flew by.  It was tough at first but I can honestly now say that N is in love with his baby brother.  It started slowly with N just whispering sweet nothings to his brother and now he will do it anywhere we go.  He loves looking at his brother, singing to him, taking pictures with him, and showing him his latest toys.  I can't explain the joy that this brings me.  Everyone told me that this would be the best feeling, but it was just something that I had to experience for myself.  All it took was some patience.  I prayed for the day when it would finally happen, and it did.

Last week my husband was giving L a bath, (yes he finally realized it was easier than giving our 2 year old his, so this is now my duty) and L started splashing around and giggling non stop.  Older brother walked in and couldn't contain himself.  He started bursting out laughing and staring at his brother enjoying his splash in the tub.  Hubby and I were just in awe.  This was the first actual brotherly connection between the two.  Where they were each sharing a giggle with each other and it was just so sweet.  It makes all those earlier months worth it, and I can't wait for more