10 Favorites after 10 Months

I literally cannot get over that my Crue man is 10 months already! Since his birth, I've definitely realized the stuff that is "important" to have around and the stuff that was probably a stupid purchase (but those stupid purchases got a good 10 months use!). 

I have retired the wipes warmer - He literally rolls around like a gator when I try to change his diaper, so trying to get over to the "wipe warmer" on his dresser before he gator-rolls is next to impossible! 

I got rid of the Dr. Brown's bottles, because for me, they leaked every time!!! It drove me crazy...Even after buying new ones, they leaked; they didn't seem to do this at first - or maybe I didn't care to pay attention.

I still recommend the wipe warmer for a new born and little baby (not for the 9 month old gator-baby), the Dr. Brown's bottles still saved Crue (and myself) from colic - that and the different formula - so I still recommend those for newborns! And of course all the other baby stuff I wrote about in the "3 month old faves" blog. 

My favorites nowadays are a tad different and some are the same ...

1. Still love the Nuk pacifier - Crue doesn't always "need" his bink, but when he needs it, he needs it!
2. Nuk bottles - they're the cutest! When trying to find something that Crue would like after getting annoyed with Dr. Brown's, I thought why not something just like his bink! I also like that the tops can work on their sippy cups when we're ready for them...
3. Still crazy for the Medela steam bags! - self explanatory 
4. Gerber Soothe formula - I'm too scared to change up the formula on him at this point...I thought about it after seeing cheaper ones out there. This one got him over colic (I still believe this) and it's been good for him ever since...not changing! Only 2 more months until regular milk anyways...
5. Orajel naturals - Lots of mommies were telling me about organic things for teething, tried them, and they didn't work like good 'ol orajel does!! .. & Crue is a baaaad teether :(
6. Baby juice!! - Crue loves this stuff! ... I dilute it (about half water half juice), but he loves it... any flavor they have!
7. MumMums - Crue has been nibbling on these since about 5 months. These are a lifesaver on those errand days or when I'm cooking etc...They're not that messy and easy for baby to eat. They dissolve quickly and are easy to hold on to. I just break them in half and give Crue halves at a time...I'm a "scared of my baby choking on everything" mommy .. guilty! (when he was smaller, I would break off little pieces and feed those to him)
8. Earth's Best babyfood - I LOVE that I can look at the ingredients and see EXACTLY what's on the label!...for instance, if the baby food says it's "banana mango", the ingredients say "organic banana, organic mango, water"...perfect! He loves every flavor mix too...
9. Gerber Puffs - another goodie for Crue now that he's a bit older... 
10. Britax Boulevard 70 carseat - We switched his carseat out a bit ago because of his size, and I really love this one! It's like a big baby recliner and has the safety bells and whistles. This one actually is from birth and up, so I will use it for the next baby as well...really get my money's worth ;) 
 

Well those are my faves so far! I'm sure I'll come up with new ones by 12 months ... I'm interested in hearing about other mommy faves out there!  

 

Mommy & Crue nearing 10 months! - Working in the yard

What to take to the hospital!?

I wanted to write about this before I even had my baby boy and discuss what I packed for the hospital, however, I decided to wait until after Crue was born that way I would really know what I needed and didn't need (obviously). I read all sorts of blogs, pins on Pinterest, etc on "what to pack for you and baby" and kind of took information from all of it and packed my own way. Basically, I packed a bag for myself, my husband, and a diaper bag for Crue (this part was SO FUN). Of course, I over-packed given that I was SO excited, however, MOST of it I actually used! **By the way, if you find yourself packing and re-packing the diaper bag, don't fear, this is normal...right?**

Mommy's bag

-2 pairs of yoga pants (a must!) with a few nursing tanks (I really only stayed in 2)

-robe --I wore this a lot as I had to stay a little longer at the hospital then expected.

-undies (granny panties ladies!)

-toiletries (the necessities) --- Bring chapstick! The hospital air is very dry

-slippers (I really only ended up wearing socks or my cushy yellowbox flip flops) & my chucks (wore these home)

-an outfit for going home. I basically pieced together a cute lounge outfit and I'm so glad for that (remember pictures!)

-phone charger

-birth plan (I had a pretty run-of-the-mill plan so I didn't even pass these out to the nurses)

-normal pads! ... No joke, the hospital ones are HUGE and you really only use them for the first day or so

-Boobie pads (if you're breastfeeding) / nipple cream

-a book or something you that entertains you (I just play on my phone)

-a couple nights worth of pj's
-Belly Bandit and never even wore it. I had complications with my epidural, so anything pushing on my back was no dice! But don't forget yours if you're into wearing one after baby!
-A list of questions to ask nurses and your lactation consultant 

My husbands bag

-phone charger

-ipad

-money for the cafeteria / drink machine

-change of clothes

-toiletries 

-books / magazines
-a list of all the important names to call
-all the necessary paperwork for the hospital

For baby    *Now this was FUN*

....I just LOVE his diaper bag...Thanks Jules! <3

-several sized outfits-- I took NB size and then 0-3 month size clothes and I'm glad I did! He ended up being 9.6 lbs and the monster didn't even fit in any of the NB stuff I bought for him! My Dr. was way off. The hospital will dress him in white onesies, but I wanted him to have his own clothes.

-diapers and wipes --the hospital has tons though ... I don't even think I used mine but it doesn't hurt to have

-baby brush

-going home outfit --have a backup..again, for the sizing issue. Make sure it's weather applicable!- I live in Texas and it is HOT in June...He wore a little terry cloth romper, hat, and socks and was swaddled in a light weight blanket and he was plenty warm for th

e short ride back home. 

-I bought Crue a little bear when I first found out about him so I packed that

-blankies!

-hats, mittens (Crue hated his), socks

-I wish I had taken a large file folder with us that fastened shut...You get TONS of paperwork for you and baby!

-a baby file for his nails. They're so soft when they're born that they're hard to clip just in case they're long.

-a couple different types of pacifiers. They give you the avent ones that don't have the little handle (they gave us tons!) but Crue didn't like these. He was a fan of the 'nuk'...still is.

-take your breast pump just in case, or have it ready for someone to get from your house. Crue latched on so I didn't need my husband to get mine, but I realized it was a possibility if he didn't latch. 

-baby lotion and soap-- the hospital bathes him but again, I felt the need for Crue to have his own stuff just in case (These are some of the "extras" that I didn't need but liked having)

-of course his car seat! The nurse that wheels you out will make sure it's fastened in the vehicle before you leave.

If we're blessed to have another child, I would pack these bags the exact same way. Something about having all the extras made me feel more comfy..But everyone is different!  

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"HugsandKissesXO" Baby Books

When searching for a baby book, I realized how picky I really am! There are lots out there, but I wasn't up for having one with zoo animals all over it, or any other "cheesy" art all over - plus!, lots of them had binding that was super "cheap", and once you add all the mementos and what not, the book's binding seems to fall apart on a lot of them... anyways, I got my self on Pinterest and started searching away! 

I came across several pins of this certain baby book, but had different covers on it... found one with a sail boat and I fell in love! The pins led me to their website hereand I fell even more in love with the art work inside! The owner, Becky, hand makes each one and all the art work is done by her! They're so cute!! I wanted to look around other websites to see if I could see pictures of the other pages and the size of it (because some pins made it look tiny, but it really isn't at all) and I came across a YouTube video of them! here 

On her webpage I noticed that she has an Etsy shop, so to do a little more digging, I checked it out (That's where I purchased it from) here 

There are so many cute covers to choose from! ladybugs, firetrucks, prince crown, you name it! The details are exceptional as well...Tiny little Swarovski crystals adorn numerous pages in the cutest places! There's a sweet little poem inside that she wrote as well! She can even add your child's name to the front! (I added Crue's in the little flag) The baby book goes up to 5 years, and there are pages for each of the birthdays as well. I cannot wait to get this all put together. I have a planner FULL of notes and "firsts" that I had to transfer into this adorable book, but it was well worth the wait...I'm so glad I found this!

I just love everything about these detailed, personal baby books! I didn't take photos of each page, because I've already filled them up...but check out her sites and the video. Hopefully you'll love yours just as much as I love mine! Well worth the price!!!

 
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Hypothyroidism: Take 2

I have been getting TONS of feedback from my Hypothyroidism post! Thank you, everyone, for your messages and questions! I have been asked quite a few times about an update on it all and after seeking out an endocrinologist, having new blood work drawn, and having an ultra sound of my thyroid I have new results!- my thyroid is now back to normal! - going from a tsh level of 8.9 now down to 3.45 (normal range is .45-4.50) (of course tons of other levels were checked but I won't list everything). 

I had an ultra sound done and she said my thyroid looked abnormal and there was blood flow going through it which shouldn't be there (signs of either Graves' disease or Hashimoto's), however, now that the blood work is back it clearly shows that everything is okay...maybe I just have a weird thyroid gland?...There will be more questions asked for sure! I have low B12 and Vitamin D levels, so I just need to up the vitamin intake. My doctor is keeping me on the dosage that I was originally prescribed and I go back in 2 months for a follow up.

I thought the doctor was crazy when she said that my continuous "feeling bad" was just my body regulating itself back to "normal" ranges...it was awful, however now I'm feeling A LOT better! I still have rough days, but it's better than it being like that everyday! - The anxiety has subsided considerably, the crashing, the feeling "off", the disconnect feeling, the "speed" feeling, etc. they have all subsided! 

If you are currently in the process of starting your meds, just hang in there!!... It will get better! If it doesn't, the thyroid levels will let doctor know at your next visit.

Keep the feedback coming! It's interesting to hear everyone's take on this and stories!

Happy Thyroid! 

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Baby Photo Journal

I have been wanting to start a photo journal from the day my son was born, but things were crazy and it never happened :( however!, I just finished putting together the beginning of his baby book, so now I can start this!!! (I know, 9 months late, but I'm a full time working mother so I'm forgiven)

I picked up these two journals at TJ Maxx, one for $3.99 and one for $4.99! How do you beat that?! And look how cute they are!! The pages are even sweeter! -- I plan on writing in his journal each time we do something worth noting ... And top it off with a photo. (Everything is worth noting right?!  ... Let's hope I don't fill these two up too fast!)  

I'm so excited to get this started!! Do things that your baby can read / see later in his or her life!!! I wish I had something like this to read from my parents! -- everything I wish I had to look at from my childhood, I create for my son. 

Motherhood is such a fun blessing  

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