My faves! – May 26, 2011
Tuesday I told ya’ll about the “baby stuff” I hated in the first 6 months. I wrote a post after Charlotte’s first month about the things I couldn’t have made it without in those newborn weeks. You will see some of those repeated here, because they are that awesome.
Baby stuff I love:
- Bumbleride stroller– When the baby is in bed, Greyson and I take turns giving each other rides in this stroller. I’m totally kidding, but we do love it a lot. We did quite a bit of comparison shopping and finally settled on the Bumbleride Indie. Greyson picked the super cool orange color and we’ve never looked back. It has three wheels so I can steer it with one hand and have Ginger on the leash with the other hand. Even though we don’t, we could jog with it. It turns on a dime in crowded stores at the mall. We’ve taken on mountain trails, over gravel, and we plan to take it on the beach this summer. It is designed for all of that. Oh, and it has a cup holder for my lattes or Greyson’s beer. (I’m sure a beer will be in it at the pool this summer.) We registered for it and were fortunate enough to receive it as a gift.
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| Charlotte out recently in her sweet ride. We just started putting her in it without the car seat. |
- Chicco Infant Car Seat– Is there anything more nerve-wracking than picking the right car seat? I mean, that is the one thing you want to MAKE SURE is absolutely safe. I am really glad we went with the Chicco. (Oh, it’s pronounced “KEY-co”, not “CHEE-co.” I was corrected.) I looked at the Graco (a little bulky), the Maxi-Cosi (awkward handle), and the Peg Perego (too heavy). I practiced pulling each one in and out their bases. The Chicco was the easiest and smoothest to get in and out. I was worried it was too “plasticky”, but it ranked very high in safety ratings. Being the prudent Daddy-to-be, Greyson looked up the safety rating on Consumer Reports and we went with the Chicco. It also led us to the Bumbleride, as it fit right in it. I’m really glad I didn’t go with the Chicco travel system with the stroller because I haven’t heard good things about the stroller. Plus, when you get the car seat separate, it comes with the cover that we love! This fall/winter it kept Charlotte’s blankets on her securely.
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| This was us out Christmas shopping when Charlotte was tiny. See the cover? There’s a blanket under it. It was great. |
- Moby Wrap– I wrote about this before. I’ll write it again. I’ll shout it from the rooftops. “I love this thing!” When Charlotte was a tiny little newborn she would snuggle up to Mama and fall asleep instantly. It freed up my arms so I could walk the dog and unload the dishwasher. It was easy to tote her around the grocery store in the “Newborn Hug Hold”. Now she faces out and watches the world.
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| Back when she was in the “Newborn Hug Hold.” She likes facing out and having her legs dangle now. |
- Medela Pump In Style Advanced– As a working mom, I have to pump A LOT. This thing paid for itself in the first week. It looks like a tote bag. I can fill up bottles quickly. It can work with batteries or a plug. If I had to do it again, I’d get the even-nicer Medela Freestyle. It’s more expensive, but it clips to your belt/pants so you can walk around the house.
- Hands-free pumping bra– My fave place to pump? Driving down the road in the car. Yep, you read that correctly. I use the hands-free bra so I can have both hands on the wheel. It works beautifully! Such a time saver! I pity the male police officer that pulls me over. Sorry man, Mamas have stuff they gotta take care of. (Please notice I’m sparing you pump and pump bra pictures.)
- Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag– I wanted an awesome diaper bag and I got it. There is a reason PPB’s have become so popular. They are great bags. Before Charlotte was born I waited for the new fall line to come out and picked my fave pattern. I went with the Boxy Backpack style. Don’t be fooled by the “backpack” name. It comes with a long strap and I carry it like a normal diaper bag. I liked it better than their shoulder bag because the strap adjusts better. A changing pad folds out, it has lots of room, and the outside wipes clean easily. One day I will be able to afford a bag from their Cake line. Devine!
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| I couldn’t find a fab pic of me sporting this bag, and frankly I look a little busted right now so I just pulled this one off the web. This is the bag. |
Okay, those are all the things I can think of right now. Do ya’ll agree? Disagree? What worked for you? What’s your fave stuff?
Spread it around:
OH MY GOSH! Do you really pump while driving?! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. I also LOVE my PPB, I have a Cosmopolitan Carryall (it was a joint gift from husby & my mom when I gave birth to Gigi). It's sooo pretty, holds so much, and I even use it when I don't have the kids with me.
Hello! I've been following you for some time now and always love your posts. This is my first time commenting, though
I'm expecting my husband and my first son at the end of June and am all about these 'fave things' posts! It is especially validating when I own a number of them. I've got two moby wraps, just got my medela pump in style with SWEET tote bag and my husband and I settled on the chicco car seat!
Thanks for the list!! I always enjoy your posts!
**For some reason this isn't allowing me to connect with my blogger profile. My name is Charissa and I'm over at Journey of Life. I'll comment some other time to connect better with you :)**
Agree with you on the Pump in Style. You know how well mine's been working for me. Re: pumping bra, I just cut holes into a $5 sports bra and that's still going strong. Hands free pumping is a must. In fact, I'm pumping as I type this comment. I've pumped in the car as well, though not while personally driving. I wish I had researched travel systems more thoroughly. As it is, the time when you need them is so fleeting anyway, I think I might have foregone one altogether. Of course, both my boys are tanks and outgrew or will outgrow (if current growth continues) the "bucket" car seat right when they were old enough to face forward. I've got the Vera Bradley diaper bag and am very happy with it. I keep eyeing the Moby Wrap as everyone raves about it and the zipper broke on my other baby carrier, but it doesn't look like the babies can hang on your front and face forward and that's what both Will and John love to do.
Hi Amy,
Thank you for sharing about your Bumbleride Indie on your blog! We are so happy to hear you, Greyson, and Charlotte are enjoying the ride!
Thank you for choosing Bumbleride!
Ryan
Bumbleride Community Manager
Bumbleride Inc.