5 Best Baby Items - "Big Ticket"

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away, which means Black Friday is just around the corner! Are you going shopping? I am! Walmart opens at 10 p.m. and you better believe that's when I'll be there! You can't beat $2 movies and $5 PJ's for kids! Will also be hitting up Kohl's at midnight and the mall by 5 a.m. Other stores are opening at midnight as well but so far there is nothing jumping out that I need from them.

So I was trying to come up with something to Blog about today and nothing was jumping out. Then I realized Savannah turns 1 in just 16 days so now would probably be a great time to showcase the 5 items I don't think I could live without this past year. In no particular order:

1. Medela New Pump in Style Original Breast Pump - I purchased this while still at the hospital with Connor and we have definetly gotten our money's worth. If you plan on breastfeeding but have to go back to work you need to get a good pump that will work efficiently and effectively. Other than the normal parts wearing out and having to be replaced, this has been a wonderful investment.

2. Fisher Price Bouncer - I had a bouncer with Connor but never figured out what happened with it, after a few months debating about buying a new one we finally went out and purchased one. It's great the first 6 months to have. Savannah loved looking at the animals and it made it easier for us to get dinner made with her being happily content sitting in the bouncer.

3. Fisher Price Swing - I received this from one of my baby showers when pregnant with Connor and I love it. Connor enjoyed it, my cousin's baby girl Lily used it for awhile and now Savannah uses it. Savannah likes to keep moving when she takes her naps so after I rock her to sleep I can plop her down in this and she'll take a descent nap in it. I'm glad I have it!

4. Fisher Price Booster - With Connor we used a regular high chair but with Savannah we decided against it. Why you may ask? Well since we did Baby Led Weaning with Savannah it was important that the tray wasn't to high up on her chest. With a regular high chair this is a problem and it can be difficult for a baby to grab the food easily so we decided on a booster seat - which is cheaper and it also "fits" her better. Plus it takes up a lot less room in your house.

5. Baby Carrier: BabyHawk - I really wish I would have known about these when Connor was a baby. Having to worry about a stroller is kind of a pain in the butt and if you're going somewhere like the Farmers Market Downtown with the huge crown they can be a huge inconvenience, but with a baby carrier you don't have to worry about the stroller. It is also nice when it's cold outside because it will keep you and baby warmer and there is a lot of other reasons wearing your baby is beneficial for your baby (but that's an entirely different type of post).

Madison Monroe

Sitting around the house, playing Candy Land with Connor while watching some of the basketball game....not that it matters, none of my teams are left, but whatever. Both kids are crabby...that's always fun to deal with on a Saturday night....Connor didn't have a nap today, and I'm pretty sure Savannah is going threw a growth spurt and possibly in early stages of teething....fun stuff!!

So today we finally got to make the trip up north to visit my niece Madison Monroe. She was born on March 23 at 3:20 p.m. and she was 8lbs5oz and 22 inches long. She has the cutest chubby cheeks ever, but then I was surprised to see little chicken legs. She was such a good baby, she barley ever cried when we where visiting. It was to bad that I didn't get to see Nick because he was working, but I'm thinking I may head up north to Aunt Jenny's pampered chef party next weekend so hopefully they'll stop by & I can see him. Other than briefly at Savannah's baptism I haven't seen him since he visited us in the hospital when Savannah was born. Hopefully now with Madison around we'll get to see each other more often, either us going up there, or him coming down here.

Baby Shower

I can’t believe we’re over ½ way done with October….it’s crazy!! And the rest of the month is just going to fly by! Between Scott bowling Tuesday nights & every other Friday, Connor having Gymnastics on Wednesdays….This Saturday I have Book Club, Sunday I have a pampered Chef Party, and then next weekend is Halloween! AHH!!! It’s definitely true that time goes by faster when you’re older!

So this past Sunday was Ashley’s baby shower. It was nice. Her mom threw it for her at a Country Club, so it was kinda on the fancier side, but not overdone. We had some good food, played some games (I actually won both of them, lol). She opened her presents, got a couple of duplicates, but overall got a lot of nice things. I’m a little jealous that I don’t get a big shower again this time, but I already had my time…. It’s just fun to have family & friends get together to celebrate the life you’re creating.

1/2 Way

So last night was fun. The St. Dennis Festival officially began! We played pop toss a bunch, and I get to eat some corn. So far the total count is 2 pieces of corn, with many many more to come this weekend!!

So today I'm officially 20 weeks! 1/2 over!! I can't believe it! It's kind of nice being pregnant in the summer, because we are so busy, it goes by so quickly!! I can't believe in 2 days and 5 hours we will be finding out if we're having a little boy or little girl! It's so exciting! Everyone keeps asking what I think it is, but I don't want to say one way or the other in case my feelings are wrong. But anyways, I thought I'd post some pictures of my progressing baby belly. 1st picture was taken at 8 weeks and the second one was taken this morning at 20 weeks!

Baby Food

Well last night was pretty calm around the homefront. Worked on some homework and read my book. I almost have it finished, I should be able to finish it tonight!

So today I decided to look up baby food recipes online. I never made homemade food for Connor, but for some reason this time I really want to try it out and see how it works. I know it will be a lot healthier for the baby, I just hope I can committ to the time it'll take everyday to make it. Thankfully I'll be able to make a couple of days worth at one time, and just store some in the fridge. I found this GREAT website for recipes wholesomebabyfood.com I found baby cereal recipes, fruit, veggie & meat recipes, everything I would need for the first 8-10 months! We'll probably start introducing food around the same time as we did for Connor. I think the first time Connor had cereal was about 4.5 months, and they say to start between 4-6 months.

Baby Book

So this day is dragging, I'm super tired........ugh!!!! But at least it's lunch time soon and I get to get away from my desk for awhile!!

So today I decided to start looking for a baby book. This is one thing I did not get when I had Connor and someone had to buy me one at the Hospital Gift Shop (overall the baby book worked for what you need it to do, but it isn't the prettiest, and I would have rather had something nicer looking, but oh well). So to prepare, I'm making sure I get it WAY in advance, we will probably be purchasing it next Monday after we have the BIG U/S!!!! Well anyways, searching the Babies R Us Website, these are the two I have picked out. I can't wait to be able to purchase one, I can't believe it's only one week away from finding out if we're having a boy or girl!! I'm getting so excited!!

Wish List

So my cousin text messaged me today asking if I was working. Of course I'm working, lol. I work an 8:30-5 job, M-F! Anyways, she decided that she was going to go try on wedding dresses! I'm sad that I can't be there for her, but she is sending me pictures of the dresses!

So with my built up energy & anticipation of the upcoming baby I've decided to make a "wish list" at Babies R Us. I know I wont get another baby shower since this is my second, but I figured that the baby is due so close to Christmas, maybe I could steer some people towards some things that I might want/need! Is this a bad idea? I hope not. I don't want people thinking that they HAVE to buy me anything for this baby, cause they don't! But if they were going to buy me something for Christmas anyways, why can't it be something that I need/want?? We really do not need much, and I know I'll add more stuff as it gets closer, but this is what I've found so far:

Anticipation

So last night Connor kept waking up, so I decided to go lay down with him in his room. At about 3 a.m. I woke up and was alone in the room. That little stinker woke up and went and laid next to daddy, lol! On other notes, my car is PAID OFF!!! WOHO!!! And also we submitted our application to refinance our mortgage, so between the two we'll be saving about $450!!!

So 10 more days until the big U/S!! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I thought I would be disappointed if it was another boy, but the closer it gets, I don't think I will be. As much as I REALLY want a little girl to be able to dress up and play barbies with, it would save us a TON of money to have another boy. We already have all of the bedroom decorations and we already have a lot of clothes that would work! The anticipation is really starting to get to me, I really want to know! We have the perfect girl name picked out, but haven't decided on a boy name yet. We have a couple of options, but not sure I LOVE any of them.... at least we still have time!!

Paranoid

So this is my first post, a little exciting!! I've read multiple blogs before but never have started my own, so this should be an interesting experience!!!

So today I realized something, well I've realized it before but it's become more real for me. The internet can be a blessing and a curse. Being pregnant with your second child you think would be easy and care free, right? WRONG! I am so much more paranoid this time around and every little pain/pull I'm searching for it online to see what kind of horrible thing it could be. Is this normal? Why did I not experience this with my first pregnancy? Was I just naive about all of the horrible things that can happen?