It's been too long since my last post.
In the past three months, I put my classroom teaching job on hold, started a business with my sister (and another little business that has yet to be announced,) had a baby, and...thought of a million things I would want to write about if I were being a more diligent blog writer.
Now that I am getting the swing of a new schedule, I'd like to write about one of those "million things" that has been swirling around in my head: Baby Item Favorites. It seems like every friend on Facebook is asking for "the best stroller," or "the best hospital items." I could write individual blog posts for every category but I'm going to stick to my top 5 must-have, all-around baby items.
1. Stroller/Car seat combo: Graco Fast Action Click Connect
Perks: Smooth ride, nice pushing height, trendy look, easy to set up and fold down, gender neutral, great value, well-made, LOTS of cup holders, holds at least one diaper bag across the handle with 2-3 medium sized purses (when you're shopping with all the girls) in the basket area.
Drawbacks: Takes up most of the trunk, slightly heavy. (Then again, it's not an umbrella stroller.)
2. Ikea Play Mat
Perks: washable, interactive for baby, plush without taking up room, easy to store behind a couch or folded up in a basket in the family room, great for tummy time, cost effective, stylish look without being too "cutesy."
Drawbacks: It doesn't have anything that goes over baby, but I try to encourage more tummy time when I can.
3. Baby Bath Seat: Summer Infant
Perks: easy to pack/store/move to another bathtub, light and adjustable for babies who can or cannot hold their heads up, small enough to have in the bathtub with room to spare, easy to clean, dries quickly, less bulky than normal baby bathtubs.
Drawbacks: As always, watch your baby during bath time. Baby can slide down until mouth or face is in water if you've allowed it to get too high in the tub. I only fill it up to baby's bottom.
4. Rocking Chair Glider: Wayfair
Perks: I love chairs in nurseries. Great for reading, nursing/feeding, storage...opps! When finding the perfect nursery chair we looked for a chair with good head/arm support for the adult, rocking and swivel features, easy to clean fabric, great price, durability. We found it in a Wayfair chair for less than $300.
Drawbacks: I didn't get the ottoman and sometimes I wish that I had one!
5. Changing Table Runner: Pottery Barn
Perks: less space used to hold diapers, easy to grab while changing baby, holds up to 7 diapers per pocket (there are six, we use one pocket for ointment and other little baby essentials), ingenious use of space, can be monogrammed. (We didn't because we knew we'd use it for other little ones.)
Drawbacks: It doesn't hold wipes, but our dresser is large enough to have them up top. You must use a skid-proof lining underneath or the unevenly distributed weight will drive you crazy every time you lift baby up and the runner goes flying.
Those are my baby favorites that I use on a daily basis.
