The "How I remain sane" product list

I may only be 2 months in to this whole motherhood thing, but I've already found a few lifesavers among the products I registered for. And I few I wasn't even schooled enough to know about!

Now, these are just my opinion, and I know a lot of you will find better things for you and your baby - but this is what worked for us.

1. Swaddle Me Blankets



Seriously a wonderful invention and slightly easier to use than the Miracle Blanket. This baby straight jacket helped tack on an extra 2 hours to Grayson's night time sleep. Plus, we have the fleece version, and it makes me feel like Grayson's staying warm.

2. The Moby Wrap



Hands down, my favorite product ever. Grayson is a huge snuggler and loves to be as close to me as humanly possible at all times. While I'm all for a snuggly baby - I also enjoy the use of my hands. The Moby gives me both! There is a slight learning curve to using it, but there are tons of great 'how to' videos on You Tube if you need a refresher. This is a good one. If you think the fabric choices are boring - there are plenty of CUTE options on etsy. If I need to use the Moby outside of the house, I just tie it on before I go to avoid getting any parking lot nasties on me.

3. Dwell Studio for Target Receiving Blankets



Cheap and perfectly square, these are fabulous for a nap swaddle and they look super cute covering the baby in the car seat. I have almost every variation.

4. Inclined sleep positioner


Considering how many other 'sleep' products are on my list - I must really appreciate the times baby is getting some shut eye. ;) This is another product that dramatically increased our sleep cycles. Grayson had a mild case of reflux when we first brought him home, and we think the incline made him feel better. We used this in the bassinet and now in the crib.

5. Summer Infant Video Monitor



I LOVE seeing the baby now that he's in the nursery. Something about seeing him wiggle about makes me happy - and I hear it only gets better as they get older and start talking and playing in the crib. Worth every penny.

6. Tiny Love Gymini


Watching Grayson talk to his monkeys and grab at the giraffe is seriously cute. Plus, I can plop him down on the mat while I pour myself some coffee without having to worry about him falling off of anything. Anything that allows me to grab a cup of coffee gets an A+.

7. Soft Structured Carrier



Ok, this one is more of a category than an actual product, but it's another one of my must haves. I'm currently using an older version of this Beco carrier. But I'm seriously contemplating getting a Butterfly II as well. This is my life saver when Grayson and I are out an about and I don't have the moby already tied on. There are quite a few places that just aren't stroller friendly (Hello grocery store!), and obviously I can't leave G in the car. I've heard good things about the Ergo and AngelPack, but I don't have experience with those.

8. Diaper Champ



This one is my husband's pick, but I have to agree. Poops = stink and somehow this contraption has managed to keep the smell completely out of the room. Plus, it has "champ" in the name and I can use my own bags. A big win all around.

9. Fisher-Price Swing


Can we say "Fabulous"? This is where Grayson gets in at least one of his day time naps. Not only do I get a little sleepy time out of him when he's in it - he seems to enjoy the mirror/mobile above him when he wakes up. Score! Plus, it's relatively quite and I have yet to need new batteries. I call this my 'shower chair'. Without it, I'm convinced I would be on day 56 with no shower...

10. Born Free Bottles


With Grayson's reflux issues we had a LOT of spit up and vomit. Think projectile nastiness. The only bottles that seemed to help were Born Free and Dr. Brown. Both are BPA free and had great venting systems. But with 5 parts to wash the Dr. Brown bottles were a PTA! Since the Born Free bottles had 1 less part, it won the bottle battle in our house.

That's it for us at the moment - but I'm sure the list will change over time.

Do you have any products that you just can't live without?

Retail Therapy

It's a well known fact in our household that shopping makes me feel better. Unfortunately, since I currently have a gigantic stomach and sausage feet - shopping for me is pretty much not going to happen.

Koka, unless you're reading. Then I would REALLY like this. :) (Love you!)

Anyhoo. Since I can't enjoy shopping for me, I went a little crazy shopping for the little man. Here are a few things I picked up...











Such cute little man clothes!

Nursery purchases

Well I may have been pretty absent from my blog over the last few weeks, but my credit card has been working hard!

K and I (ok, who am I kidding, mostly me) finally picked out and ordered a bunch of stuff for the baby's room. I'm giddy to start putting it all together. That is, after I finish painting the million inches of crown molding and window trim throughout the house - but that's a story for another day...

Anywho - here is what I've picked up:

This rug from PB. I went with the 5x8, which is little on the small side - but I'm hoping with all the furniture in, it will look fine.



Our glider from Room and Board. It was kind of a splurge - which is why I waited so long to get it. But I actually think it's cute enough that I can move it to another room in the house when baby outgrows the nursery. Of course, it won't be here until a week or so before baby is due. Just call me the queen of procrastination. :)



And I actually didn't get the ottoman. I got this super fun one instead. (I had a hard time gliding in the chair if I used the ottoman.) I need something more stable.



I found this picture a few months ago - and it's what gave me the idea. (Well the photo planted the idea. the fabulous Becki at SMC gave me the nudge I needed. Thank you Becki!)



Now, the closer I look at it - the more I think that's my glider in the picture...

I also picked up the bedding I think I like from RH Baby and child. But, I didn't want a white crib skirt - so I mixed and matched sets. I have NO idea if I'll like it when it actually gets here. We'll see. But since I'm just not sure how I feel - and Target was offering free shipping. I went ahead and pick up this set as well.



I actually like it a LOT better in person than in the picture. It's a really pretty light blue.

So, again. We'll see. One set HAS to go back.

Ok, really?

Target has the Britex Marathon Carseat (in a nice normal grey color), for only $43. And free shipping.

Pick it up here before they're gone!

Ok, it looks like it's already gone. (Along with a video monitor they had listed for $12.94! I wish I knew about that one.)

Of course, the inwebs are blowing up saying it's an error Target will not be honoring. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

The search continues...

Hello, my name is Meghan, and I'm indecisive. :)

This bedding decision is making my head spin. I know I need to just make a decision, buy the damn bedding and move on - but of course, that wouldn't be like me at all.

So. Here are my top options at the moment. I'm going to try to just stop looking at this point (I'm pretty sure I've seen it ALL anyway!!), and just pick one of these options.

The original Caden LaneOption - but slightly modified since one of my wonderful friends has agreed to help me by MAKING it. (Caden Lane sells fabric by the yard HERE)



These options from Restoration Hardware.

I like that I can pretty much mix and match the options. Plus, once it's time to take off the bumper - I can pick up a set of patterned crib sheets to spice things up again.

(I can't decide between the sage or the blue...)




Here is the set on an actual crib. (Damn pink example!)



I LOVE this sheet for when the bumper above goes away



Obviously the RH sets are a lot more simple, while the Caden Lane set would really be a focal point for the room.

What do you think? Sadly, It seems that most people didn't share my love of the original favorite...

I've officially lost my mind

That's it. I've gone off the deep end.

But I luuuurve this bedding. Huge crush. Totally unrealistic.




But considering the price tag on that bad boy, I'll probably have to settle for these bibs. $24 I can stomach.

Just a few more

I came across a few more lovelies in my search yesterday. I just wanted to drop them off for safe keeping...

Not Rational Gretel

Not Rational Hansel

Nest Mercer

And just because I still think it's pretty. Another shot of the Mia Bossi Alisa. *sigh*

The Diaper Bag Search Begins

I had no idea that this would be so hard! Being the serious bag whore that I am, I've been on a constant search for diaper bags since pretty much the day I found out I was pregnant. But I haven't found anything that I love. I just can't resign myself to the look of most of the bags out there... and I have to admit I'm having a but of an internal struggle over spending so much money on a bag that will ultimately hold breast milk and poop.

Anyway, here are a few that I've had my eye on:

Mia Bossi Caviar Bag

Mia Bossi Alisa



Baby Kaed Jaipur


Debbie Rott Eva Rocker

This one is a little bit less expensive...

Storksak Emily Pewter

This one isn't a baby bag, but it seems very usable

Tory Burch Nylon Tote
Also not baby bags, but I was also directed to check out these bags by a new company called Physhion. They're technically Gym bags and have a similar fabric exterior to the Petunia Pickle bottom glazed bags. They seem large enough and well organized inside - but I'm still not sure.

So, to all you more experienced moms... What diaper bag are you toting?

Meat anyone?

The weirdest thing for me during this pregnancy are my food aversions/fascinations/obsessions. I can no longer drink hot beverages - I just can't stomach them! It's bizarre. So Iced Decaf Lattes for me. I also had a pretty strong Meat obsession during the first few weeks that is thankfully starting to pass. I'm just not a natural meat eater. Even thought I couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough, I still thought it was gross. LOL. It was actually pretty funny.

My newest thing are these semi-obsessions I've been having. I wouldn't call them cravings because they're not all consuming, but I basically decide that something sounds good and it's the ONLY thing that sounds good - until it's infront of me. For example, last week I really wanted a chicken salad sandwich. I managed to go about 4 days before I caved and made some one night for lunch the next day. I woke up pretty excited to eat my sandwich and then didn't eat more than two bites before I didn't even want to look at it anymore. Odd! And of course my craving dejour is a turkey burger, french fries and a chocolate milkshake. Healthy much? (Hmm, and I guess my meat cravings are still there... both meals I mentioned are meat-centric. Funny!)

As a side note, Koka isn't sure that he wants to find out the sex of the baby. 6 months ago I would have told that wasn't going to happen! But, I'm surprising low key about it. I'd prefer to find out - it would make the nursery planning a million times easier - but I figure if he has strong feelings one way or the other, I should indulge him. I tend to think that if we know more about the baby growing in there, we can bond with it better and be more prepared for the arrival. But, I guess we'll see when we get closer.

Speaking of the nursery, I did pick up these today on Etsy. They probably won't go with the serene nursery decor I imagine for the baby - but they were way too cute to pass up!




I figure, I can find SOME place for them. (Maybe Koka's office? LOL)

First Baby Purchase

Ok, so I KNOW I'm early in this pregnancy. And I KNOW that we shouldn't be buying much of anything....especially not big ticket items. But when have I ever followed the rules when it comes to shopping?

I may have picked up a little something.

Ok, I bought our Stroller . Whoops!



I've wanted this stroller almost as long as I've wanted a child. So, when I found it $200 off - I snatched it up! I've never seen it on sale before, so I'm a happy girl!

It arrived at our house today - so now i just need to figure out how to put it together!