baby registry must-haves

Can you tell I have babies on the brain?  One of my BFF's is expecting her first child and I"m beyond excited for her.  SO excited in fact, that I started putting together an e-mail for her of items I thought she might like to research for her registry...Then I decided I should probably share it with my blog friends too!  When I was planning out my registry with Pier, I had no idea what I was doing.  What will I really need for a baby?  Short answer is not much.  I feel like most items on here are for a parent's peace of mind rather than what a baby needs, but it makes for a fun blog post so here we are.  

This is a fun list of things I would register for if I could do it all over again. These I've either successfully used with Pier, on my wishlist for future babies, or have recently purchased via late-night-pregnancy-insomnia-induced-computer-splurges.  You know the kind.  

Enjoy!  (Get ready...I seriously have too much fun compiling lists like this..)

A FEW NOTES:

  • BORROW BABY GEAR | When the baby arrives, I would find a friend and borrow specialty gear related items like a swing, activity center, or rock-n-play because that way you'll see what your child prefers.  I think we didn't use half of the stuff we had with Pier...just be patient and know that each child is very different from the next.  
     
  • SHOP SECONDHAND | If you want to try something out but don't want to pay full price, I've had great success at consignment stores.  Not only are they an economical choice they also sell things in great condition.  Secondhand clothing is a life-savor. I will confess that baby clothes and blankets are something that I'm really sentimental about...I buy a small handful of nicer quality, organic heirloom pieces for my own selfish reasons, but end up buying everything else at Goodwill.  Also, Craigslist stalking is great for nursery furniture and anything else you might need.
     
  • THE THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU | I only have experience with nursing, so you may need more items if you decide on bottle-feeding.  Breast pumps are great if you decide on that route and I know a lot of insurance companies provide coverage for them.  I got my medela pump for free...one less thing to register for!  I will say that I hate that thing though.  I much prefer this one.
     
  • THINK BIG PICTURE ITEMS |  When registering for bigger ticket items, research things that will grow with your child.  Convertible cribs, strollers, and high chairs are high on that list!  If I could do it all over again I would invest in a nice rocker that reclines instead of a fancy crib or dresser.  You spend quite a bit of time rocking babies (and toddlers) to sleep and it really pays off to have somewhere comfortable to do it.  Reclining feature is an optional luxury but boyyyy that would have been nice to have for those sleepless nights.
     
  • DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT | I know this looks like an overwhelming list!  I could easily go into more detail about why I picked certain things, so if you have any questions let me know.  In all honesty, babies don't need a lot of stuff...especially in those first few months.  Take comfort in knowing that all your little one needs is food, diapers, and lots of love and you'll be golden.  

life lately

Here's what our April looked like in photos:

 

A few highlights include: warmer weather, Easter celebrations, Brad and I going on a date, lots of April rain, and Pier learning how to take off his diaper through his clothes (photo pictured below).

...not to mention, a joyous Louisiana reunion with my high-school friends as we celebrated the wedding of one of our own.  

I'm actually just returning from that trip (feel free to give me a virtual high five for flying solo at 7 months pregnant with a very-toddlerly-toddler) and boy am I feeling the travel aftermath today.  SO worth it though. Being a bridesmaid in my childhood besties wedding meant everything to me. The entire week of celebrating was a blur of excitement and joy and FUN.  Seeing Alexis as a bride had me alternating between smiling until my cheeks hurt and crying tears of joy (sometimes sobbing because, pregnancy hormones are a thing).  Like, she was breathlessly stunning.  It was the sweetest day and I was so honored to be a part of it all...I love this girl! 

That's a wrap!  We're sure looking forward to what May has in store...I'm planning on planting my first garden and fingers crossed it will be somewhat successful.  We also planned a week long trip for our anniversary later this month and cannotttt waitttttt.  I think looking forward to the beautiful stuff in life is half the fun of it :).  

baby gear wishlist

Let's chat baby gear.  It's a jungle out there in the baby market world.... you blink and there's a new "must-have" on everybody's list!  I am heading into my third trimester this week and it might be time to start thinking about what we want to purchase for the new baby.  I realize we have everything we really need already...this list is basically a day-dream...but it doesn't hurt to do a bit of wishful thinking, right ;)?

(Obviously, I have the cute and non-practical stuff covered already ^)

Pier taught me that a first child is such a learning curve...not only does your baby have preferences, but as a parent, you have preferences too.  I didn't realize how picky I was going to be about baby gear!  Honestly, before you have children all you have to go on is the advice of other parents (and google) so you don't really know what you're getting into until you're all in.  Now that I have established two years under my belt, I've realized what is a "must have" for one family won't necessarily work for ours. And that's ok!  I definitely established what I liked and didn't like with Pier, so that's been helpful in my research with baby number two.

Here are a few things I've been eyeing lately...

 

THE OLLIE SWADDLE | My firstborn refused the swaddle.  He would use his super-human baby strength to get out of anything and everything.  After hearing rave reviews from other moms, I'm curious to see if this will improve the newborn sleep with baby number two.  

LEATHER CHANGING MAT | I am the worst when it comes to being prepared when we're out and about...and the #1 thing I forget at home?  The diapers, wipes, and diaper pad.  You can imagine the situations I got myself in with that one.  I think keeping this easy to transport, easy to fold, easy to clean mat in my car might help me to get my act together!  Just a side note, I've been super impressed with this company...we have the Gathre picnic mat and I just love the look, durability, and functionality of these products.  

RING SLING | My child needed to be worn 24/7...like every surface that wasn't me was hot lava to Pier.  Oh yes, it's all coming back to me now... I already own this wrap and this carrier, and I love them both for different reasons and seasons.  I've been dying to try out a ring sling and I know it would be a great addition to my baby wearing collection.

NURSING SCARF | My dear friend Ali made me one of these and I used it non-stop with Pier.  It would be great to have a backup because I know laundry won't be a priority during those first few months.  Backups of your favorite gear are a nice luxury during the newborn phase! 

EASY-CLEAN DIAPER CHANGER | "no covers, no pads, no slipping, and easy cleaning" uhh where do I sign.   This pad is also one of those things that will last year after year, so if you're hoping for lots of babies (like us!) then it might be worth the investment.  I thought it was ridiculous to pay that much for a changing pad...and yet it's probably one of the most highly recommended items by other parents.  Honestly after doing the diaper thing for almost two years, I was not aware that traditional changing pads could cause me such a headache (like when you're already sleep deprived and have to change a poopy diaper cover at 2 a.m....no thank you). Maybe you didn't have an issue with your changer but it was the most aggravating hassle for me during Pier's first year.  Ok I'm done...sorry this has switched from a blog post about baby gear to a rant about diaper changers...

CO-SLEEPING BABY BED | Ahhh baby sleep. If you knew the trouble I had with Pier you'd understand my desperation about this topic.  We co-slept with him until he was 6 months old (but there was 0% sleep happening) and I think this would have been a life savor for our nap and nighttime woes.  Out of everything on this list, this sleeper is a Fossier must-get for baby number two.

SHEEPSKIN | I thought this was just a design fad, but after the baby-sleeping research I've done, I found that the comfort of a natural sheepskin provides incredible calming benefits to children.  There are even some magical properties in this thing that helps regulate body temperature so your little one stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

 

 

Was there anything you found helpful with your newborns?  I've just accepted that I will forever be in a "I don't know what I'm doing" phase of parenting and need all the help I can get!  

Here's a friendly PSA: The print from above is from one of my favorite etsy shops, Hatch Prints.  Not only is Katrina talented but she's also one of the sweetest, most genuine mamas on the internet. Be sure to give her shop some love!

nature easter egg craft

I think it's hilarious that I'm writing a blog post on crafting of all things.  Unlike my mother, I am not crafty.  I have lots of creative big ideas, but no way to execute them (unless my mom comes over...then she does all the crafting I could ever dream of :)).  Anyway, I wanted to share with you a sweet Easter craft that Pier and I did together.  Well, it was 99% me because Pier only had interest in the final product, but it was still fun!  I don't know what it is about the holidays that just brings out the hidden craft-lover in me.  Crafting with kids normally stresses me out, but a holiday related craft? That's a whole other story.

These eggs are easy to do and are simply beautiful no matter how they turn out.  Mama win.  For this craft, you'll need some butcher's twine, 12 dozen white eggs, 1 pair of stockings, and leaves. Then you can dye your eggs however you wish.  I used this eco-kit to make life easy on myself.  The full tutorial I used can be found here, but the process is a simple one.

 

First bring a quart of water to a boil.  
Then gently place 1 dozen eggs in the boiling water for about 10 minutes.
While that's going, bring your kids outside to find leaves or flowers to imprint on the eggs. 
Try to encourage them to find leaves that will fit the size of the egg.

When done, rinse eggs in cold water and wait until they're cool enough to work with.
In the meantime, cut 12 pieces of string and hose and have your leaves ready in a pile.
You want to create an assembly line of sorts...assembly lines make things easy!

Place a leaf on an egg, then tightly wind a piece of stocking around
the egg to secure your leaf. 
Follow this by tying a tight knot as close to the egg as possible.

Now you're all ready to dye your eggs!  Aren't they so festive and beautiful!?!  

easter 2017

Today is a really special day for our family.  After 40 days of fasting and sacrifice, it feels so good to utter alleluia with all the joy and conviction that Christ declared victory over death. For me, Easter is one of those days where my face just hurts from smiling.  My eyes fill with tears singing the Gloria, I hug my family a little tighter, and I pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the gift of His resurrection. 

It was a real good day.  I woke up my boys with gooey cinnamon rolls and Brad and I sipped our coffee as we watched Pier examine every surprise in his Easter basket.  After a beautiful liturgy at our parish, we went home and took naps (ha!) and then went out for an afternoon meal at Traders Point Creamery.  We have eaten at this garden-to-table dairy farm every Easter since we moved to Indianapolis and it's a family favorite.  I love it especially during the spring season because they have baby chicks and calves around the property!  Of course, Pier cared very little about all the animals that I was excited to show him, and instead cared very much about the rocks, sticks, and blades of grass surrounding us.  I'm used to it.  

Enjoy a few photos from our day! 

And now I'll leave you with only two photos of our pre/post-mass celebrations...FYI taking pictures with a toddler is probably one of life's most difficult things to do.  I tried to bribe him with jelly beans and it still was a struggle.  I'm sorry, mama just needs a commemorative family Easter photo, ok? I mean, you only bring out the pastels and seersucker suits for one very special Sunday, am I right? BUT WE DID IT...Pier is textbook toddler constant motion so getting a photo with all of us together was basically an Easter miracle.  

I sincerely wish all our loved ones and readers a very happy Easter.  I hope your day was filled with the joy of our resurrected Lord.  He is risen indeed, alleluia!