Junior's 1st Birthday
I can’t believe Junior is a year old.. like I know it’s cliche, but I seriously don’t understand where the time went. I can’t believe my baby is technically now a toddler and when I blink he’s going to be a teenager. The reality is, this first year has been the weirdest year ever, so it was nice to have a day where everyone could put their full focus on Junior, especially those who haven’t got to see him that often because of the coronavirus regulations originally.
Here in Nova Scotia, our Covid-19 cases are quite low (you can count them on one hand), so we’re fortunate enough to have more lenient restrictions now. This means we were able to throw Junior a birthday party, which we originally weren’t sure if we’d be allowed to do. Needless to say, everyone is still taking all the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of Covid-19, so we figured it would be best if we kept it small and outdoors.
Junior’s grandparents have the cutest little backyard with tons of seating, so naturally they offered to host (thankful for this is an understatement). This was such a relief for me because I knew it was going to take forever to get Junior up and going on his birthday and wasn’t sure how I’d be able to do it all - insert saint grandma.
I usually have it all together. I’m a hardcore list-making note-taker and have an obsession with making things as close to perfect as possible. Well, since I’ve become a mom, I’m convinced half of my brain has shut off. Not only did I buy him a dress suit that did not come close to fitting on his birthday, but I forgot the decorations at home the day of! By the time we got there, all I could do was laugh at myself (I only had to bring the baby, the cake and the decorations, you’d think I could remember all 3). Regardless, I knew it would still be a good time and it didn’t matter I forgot some balloons. We were just so excited to see some friends and family we hadn’t seen in a while!
I couldn’t believe the emotions I was feeling that day. Not only was I celebrating Junior, but celebrating my first year of motherhood. It’s nuts.. one day, you have this person inside you that you have no idea what they look like, and then this little human comes out and you’re now responsible for their life. I’m not going to sugar coat it - this year has been hard. Junior developed severe separation anxiety, and genuinely has a hard time being in a room with more than 5 people - he consistently cries. This has made it especially tough on Marcus and I, as we have now passed a year without Junior having a single sleepover anywhere because of his anxiety. There were multiple days where I didn’t think I could do it. I especially remember the first 6 months being some of the lowest of my life. I had gained a ridiculous amount of weight during pregnancy and assumed it was just going to fall off almost instantly (I’m sure if you’re a mom, you’ve heard this from other moms too). “You’re breastfeeding? oh, don’t worry - the weight will fall right off” was literally burned in my brain, but this wasn’t the case. I also loved breastfeeding, but didn’t realize until we were done how much autonomy it had taken from me during those months and how free I instantly felt when it was over. I had no idea who I was anymore. If you’re a new-ish or soon-to-be mom reading this - I promise by 7 months you WILL start to feel like yourself again.
The one decoration I didn’t forget was this beautiful string on monthly photos! It was honestly beautiful and just enough without the planned garland. It came in a pack with a cake topper and streamer that said “One”, was my goodness they were beautiful! Now that the party’s over, we're going to remove the string and stick them on the wall of Junior’s room to keep the memories! I found it on amazon for under $15, so I’ll link it here if you want to check it out!
The balloon garland was also something I was impressed with. When it came in the mail, I blew up a few different colour balloons and added one of the palm leaves to see how the colour would look. We were doing a “Wild One” jungle/safari theme and this package was going to be perfect! It came with 24 palm leaves and something like 100 balloons, plus stuff to put it all together! While I didn’t get to use the decorations at the party, I still recommend these if you’re thinking about having a jungle or safari themed party for your little one! It’s also under $30, so you can’t go wrong. I’ll link it here!
We ordered Junior the cutest, yummiest smash cake from Neha (@cakes_by_neh). She makes all of our cakes (her red velvet is the best I’ve ever had), so I knew she’d be the one to make Junior’s, which had largely reduced sugar for the babies and kids! I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was, but more importantly - tasty (this was my first time trying a flavour that wasn’t red velvet). I highly recommend checking her out if you’re looking for a cake / cupcakes that look as good as they taste!
Shop This Look
I can’t stop laughing at this terrible photo, but it’s the only one where you can really see this outfit. My dress was an amazon find that I was so happy to come across! I’m wearing a size small. I will say that the chest is very open, but I just pinned mine together and it would look super cute with a Bralettes or cami underneath. It comes in two colours and is under $30. These white booties were perfect for the look I was going for.
We were gifted these beautiful flowers from Bloomex (@bloomex_canada) who always make the most elegant bouquets! We even threw a rose in Junior’s shirt pocket and he loved it (yes, he tried to eat it). They ship throughout Canada and are another shop I highly recommend!
We opened presents, had a bbq and filled the air with so much love. If Covid has taught us anything, it’s how to pivot and to remain grateful for the wonderful people in our lives that make us feel loved and alive. The last year, getting to watch Junior grow and develop before my eyes has been a blessing, but even more so that Marcus has gotten to be here to watch Junior grow with me. While I can’t believe he’s a year old, I also can’t believe how long this year has been (does that even make sense!?). I’m just so thankful for how blessed we are to have this light of a human and our health by our side and can’t wait to see what joys this next year will bring.
**Tap A Link below to be redirected
12 Month Streamer Set: Amazon
Jungle Safari Balloon Pack: Amazon
Cake: Instagram - @cakes_by_neh
Flowers: www.bloomex.ca | Instagram - @Bloomex_Canada
Grieving
Grief is a weird thing. It never really goes away, and it doesn’t really get easier. If anything, I find it’s harder as the years go by because the only reason it seems like it’s getting any easier is because the memories have started to fade. Next thing you know, you’re now grieving the distant memories as they slowly drift away that you desperately want to stay.
I never really knew how to deal with death. How do you and who do you talk to about it? I find as people we tend to shy away from talking about the difficult things that make us feel uncomfortable or aren’t positive. In turn, a lot of us grieve alone, in our “own way”. For me, that meant going through the motions - alcohol was my best friend. Anything to replace the bottomless pit of emptiness I was feeling from losing my actual best friend. We should have had more time.
I thought for sure that was my lowest. Little did I know that years later the grief would come back and hit 10x harder now that I’m a mom. Now that you’re not here to meet my perfect little guy that I know in my heart you would’ve loved more than anyone. He has your name in the middle of his & I hope this means you’ll live on forever. I promise to tell him stories & carry on your memory forever and a day. I wish you got to meet my future husband. You’d like him and I know for certain he would’ve brought that laugh out in you that I miss so much. I just wish we had had more time.
Today would’ve been your birthday. I hope you know how much I love you and how proud I hope you are of me. While the memory of your voice starts to be more from a distance, I’ll never forget the overwhelming feelings of love and support you provided me over the years I did get to have you here.
We should have had more time, but I’m thankful for the years of memories we did have together. Still, sometimes I get so angry because I’m having a moment I feel you’re obligated to be here for. I’m so mad that I can’t hug you. Can’t call you. Can’t do anything other than pray for you. Then, I remember that you taught me there’s something positive in everything and rainy days can be an adventure if you let them. This always makes me smile because I immediately feel like I’m surrounded by your positive light. While I’m grieving, you find a way to make me smile and remember more of the reasons why I love you. You were like a father, my best friend and my safe space all at once. You always had the best advice. You knew my heart and made me a better person. I hope I’m turning into the person you always wanted me to be. I hope you’re resting peacefully.
I love you.
The 8 Best Developmental Toys for Babies 6-12 Months
Babies are the funniest little things.. no matter how much we spend on toys and other gadgets, they’re just as happy to play with a coaster or piece of paper. At least, that’s how it is with our little guy. Regardless, we were determined to make sure we got him toys as he aged that would help him develop at each stage. So, I’ve compiled a list of our all-time faves thus far for you! In no particular order, here’s my favourite toys for early baby development
* tap the title or the photo to shop an item.
#1: VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube (Under $35)
If you’re looking to stimulate your little one’s senses, this is the toy to do it! This little invention keeps our little guy busy for so long! With 6 activity sides, baby can play and learn from the different parts/activities. It also has sounds and lights to keep your little one’s attention (AAA batteries are required).
#2: Infantino Piano & Numbers Learning Toucan (Under $40)
This toy sings and reads numbers as they’re pressed. This is the number one toy we bring with us to keep our little guy occupied on road trips.
#3: Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag (On Sale Under $15)
While these blocks are recommended for +1 year old, we bought these when our little guy turned 10 months! The size is key with these, as the bigger blocks relieve the worry of baby choking on small pieces. We’re able to sick and stack together for hours (this is more me stacking and my little guy banging the blocks on the floor, but he loves it).
#4: TEYTOY Baby Toy Zoo Series Soft Alphabet Cards (Under $25)
These flashcards are a must for any parent looking to teach their little one the alphabet early. With animals that start with the same letter as the letter presented on the flashcard, you can spend hours learning, reading and identifying with your baby. Whether you’re teaching them animals, how to spell their name, or the alphabet overall, this is an easy and inexpensive way to have hours of learning time with your bundle of joy. Oh, and they’re also extremely soft, so babies love to play with them!
#5: Fisher-Price Chasing Rainbows Bead Maze (On Sale Under $10)
This maze helps your baby learn problem solving skills. It also has a roller with rattle beads inside and a sun that spins (I know, sounds basic, but babies love it). The arches are in 3 different colours, and the sliding beads are different shapes!
#6: Fisher-Price Jumparoo/Exersaucer (On Sale Under $130)
Definitely one of our more expensive baby toy purchases but more than worth it! My little one’s favourite thing to do now is jump and that’s 80% because of the freedom this toy gave him to learn on his own. Not only do the activities and hanging animals keep baby occupied, but since it “floats”, it helps babies learn to stand while still being supported, in addition to jumping!
#7: VTech Magic Star Learning Table (Under $40)
This is easily one of the best toys for baby. With multiple activities, baby is always occupied with learning. The legs are removable, so your baby can play with all the activities while sitting, moving to a standing activity table when they’re able to stand on their own. Our favourite part of this particular toy is the phone activity where it says which number you’re pressing - a great way to teach your little one how to call 911 or you and family members for emergencies when they get a little older.
#8: LeapFrog Shakin’ Colors Maracas (Under $20)
Since 3 months old, this has been one of our baby’s favourite toys. One of the maracas is a shaker, making sounds when baby shakes it. The other plays music, counts with your baby as they shake it, and changes + says the different colours (it’s like a light show). Our little guy is stimulated for quite a while when using these toys, and he absolutely loves it.
Reminder: your baby’s best toy will always be you. This is a guide designed to help with the questions I had, with a quick easy place to get a list of good toys. You do not need any of these toys to be a good parent, I just wanted to reiterate that. Also, in case no one has told you lately, you’re doing great and your little one is so lucky to have you.
xo, Tey
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate or third party links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. These links are to products/services through third party websites which I do not own, nor have control over. I have no responsibility for the content, terms and conditions, products, or anything else these websites may request or produce. In reading this, you acknowledge and agree that I cannot be held liable in any way for any issues or damage caused to or received from any third party’s products/services. I link these companies and their products because of my genuine admiration for these products/services - not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am honoured to have a place to share my love for fashion and everything else with you, remaining as transparent as possible.
Steamed Carrot Baby Food Recipe
I knew when we found out we were pregnant I wanted to make my own baby food. I wanted to have full control over the nutrients and everything else that my baby would eat to make sure everything was as healthy as possible for this tiny human. For me, the best part is that you can freeze your baby food for a few months, so I can make my baby food in large batches and then don’t have to think about doing it for a while!
Carrots are super easy to digest, so this recipe is one of the first baby food’s we made for junior. They’re super easy to make, but most importantly, they’re great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and calcium for your little one. Steaming your carrots keeps the nutrients as opposed to boiling your vegetables.
This steamer is easily one of the top 5 best purchases i’ve ever made. We purchased this steamer for baby food, but it’s come in handy for when I’m making big dishes for supper and need to steam some other veggies. It has two sections so you can steam two vegetables at once (especially great fo making two vegetable/fruit baby dishes), and turns itself to “warm” for 20 minutes once it’s done steaming - I love this set-it-and-forget-it feature. Bonus? It’s under $50! Tap here to shop this steamer.
We also purchased these baby containers and LOVE them. Mostly because they have measurements on the side, so you can make sure you’re putting the amount your baby needs in them (this obviously increases as your baby ages). Another big selling point for us - they fit in our bottle warmers, so it’s easy to warm up without having to use the microwave! Plus, it’s less than $30 for 18 reusable containers - can’t beat that. Tap here to shop our favourite baby containers.
Since this recipe is so simple, I’m going to do this in number form, straight to the point without the fluff. Here we go!
Recipe:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 Bags of Carrots
- Sterilized Water
(you can boil tap water for 5 minutes if you don’t have any in-house)
Step #1:
Clean and peel your carrots.
Step #2:
Chop them up into small pieces (carrots tend to take longer to steam, so making the pieces smaller allows them to steam faster).
Step #3:
Fill your steamer with water and place your chopped carrots in the food section. Set the steamer for 20-25 minutes (time will vary based on device and the size of your chopped carrots. You can check if they’re done by poking a fork through the biggest one - they’re done when they’re soft and the fork goes through easily).
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Step #4:
Keeping 1/2 cup of the carrot steamed water aside, strain and place your carrots to the side. Let them cool down.
Step #5:
When cooled, put half of your steamed carrots into your food processor/mixer. Add half of the 1/2 cup of leftover steamed water. Turn on your processor/mixer.
Step #6:
Once done, put your pureed carrots into the baby food containers. Put your lid on and throw them in the freezer for up to 3 months!
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Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate or third party links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. These links are to products/services through third party websites which I do not own, nor have control over. I have no responsibility for the content, terms and conditions, products, or anything else these websites may request or produce. In reading this, you acknowledge and agree that I cannot be held liable in any way for any issues or damage caused to or received from any third party’s products/services. I link these companies and their products because of my genuine admiration for these products/services - not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am honoured to have a place to share my love for fashion and everything else with you, remaining as transparent as possible.
Baby Registry Must-Haves
So, you’re little one is on the way and while you’re already full of love and excitement to meet the purest angel to ever exist (yes, you’re allowed to be biased), you’re also starting to freak out a bit at the idea of being in charge of another human (should this be legal??).
Or at least that’s how I felt the last few months of my pregnancy (picture a walking panic attack). I mean, if you’re anything like me, there’s almost zero chance I can convince you it’s going to be fine and you’ll figure it all out as you go, even though it’s the truth! So, instead, i’m sharing my top baby registry must-haves!
#30: Sophie La Giraffe – Sophie is easily the best teething toy around. The rubber is great for when your little one is having a hard time with their teeth coming in. This was also our little one’s favourite toy for the first 5 months of his life.
#29: Medela Bottle Cleaning Brush- We tried about 3-4 different cleaning brushes, but we found the Medela brush was the best for all the different brands of products we had (4 different brands of bottles) and the nipple cleaner is extremely convenient.
#28: Baby Seat- While lots of people recommended a bumbo, we decided to go with a 3-in-1 seat, and honestly, I think this was the best decision. The cost was essentially the same, but this 3-in-1 seat had so many more functions than just sitting. It was great when Junior was younger and learning to sit up on his own, offering the right amount of support to strengthen his muscles & learn the concept of balance. He also loved the toy station, which allowed me to get things done around the house while he’d sit and play. Finally, the little table whips around for when you introduce solids, and the small size makes it easy to put where it’s most convenient for you!
#27: Nested Baby Swaddle- I loved this swaddle when Junior was a newborn. Its weighted center leaves the impression of being hugged, which kept Junior in a peaceful slumber nightly.
#26: Baby Nose Cleaner- I couldn’t believe sucking snot out of my baby’s nose was going to be an almost daily occurrence. Yet, here we are, with a baby whose nose is clogged quite often and needs to be cleared so he can breathe (babies mostly breathe out of their nose). I love this thing because it’s quick and relatively easy to use (besides the forever moving baby part). This is one of my most-used items, and make sure you have spare filters & saline on deck (all 4 items are linked)!
#25: Baby Thermometer- We originally had one of the ones that just clicks behind their ears, but our doctor told us to throw it out.. It told us Junior had a hospital level fever and 4hrs in the emergency room later, we found out it was an incorrect reading. So, save yourself the trouble and add a basic one to your registry (x2 so you can always have one in your diaper bag). And remember... bum read is the best read!
#24: Baby Wipes + Dispenser - We definitely go through more of these than anything else, so you definitely want to stock up before your little one gets here – especially if you can stock up on someone else’s dime. Side note - we use Huggies + Pampers and they both have a reward app that you can receive giftcards, baby items, and more. Their packages of wipes and diapers come with codes on them that you enter in this app, and while it does take quite a while, you can accumulate enough to get some of the pretty awesome stuff they offer for a product you have to buy anyways!
#23: Amazon Diaper Delivery Service- We learned about this service through my mom who gifted “a year full of diapers” to us for our shower. You simply pick which size and subscribe, then Amazon delivers them right to your door every month. When your little one is going up a size, you just have to change your subscription to the size up so that’s what you’ll receive next month! It’s so great because we literally never have to worry about running out of diapers but also don’t have to go out to buy them (this was especially great while the Coronavirus pandemic was in full swing). Also, you save more money with the amazon subscribe and save than if you were to just go buy them in store, so it’s a win-win.
#22: Playmat- Tummy time is extremely important for infant development. A playmat is a great product to have for baby to lay on as they work on those important neck muscles needed to hold their head up and eventually crawl. We went with a reversible one, as the grey went well with our nursery theme but the colours are great for brain development! I’m linking two – the one we bought + a cheaper option.
#21: Activity GymPlaymat– Also great for tummy time, the activity gym gives baby a bunch to look at and play with while on their belly’s!
#20: White Noise Machine- A bedtime must-have for new parents. At first, we chose the SKIPHOP Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother because of the ceiling star display, 5 white noise options & 5 nursery rhyme melodies. But we’ve recently switched to the Fisher-Price Music & Lights machine because the melodies are better and it has a small nightlight on the tip!
#19: Jolly Jumper- This invention is easily Junior’s favourite activity. We can have him in it for over an hour, letting him burn off some energy and giving mom and dad some much needed down-time. While it’s not the smallest product in the world when it’s put together, it’s definitely worth every inch of the space it takes, plus it’s easy to tuck it in the corner overtop of his other toys.
#18: Diaper Bag- It’s important to figure out what works best for you. Do you want a backpack or bag style? How many compartments do you need? Do you want a wipe holder attachment? Personally, I didn’t see the value in the wipe attachment, so I opted for a backpack style that would have bottle storage and a large holding capacity. Make sure to shop around to make sure it serves all your requirements based on your intended use. For example, are you planning on bringing the baby to the office while you work? If so, you’re probably going to want a decent sized bag versus if you’re only planning on bringing a bag when you go out 1-2 days a week. I’m linking the backpack style I’m in love with below!
#17: Stand Alone Baby Tub- You can definitely bathe your little one in the sink with one of the flower seats, but we found this much easier. We’re able to fill it and place it in the nursery so we can both enjoy bath time!
#16: Zipper Sleepers- This was the best piece of advice given to me before we had Junior. You’ll see lots of cute sleepers with buttons, and by all means you should have a few, but the zipper sleepers are a new-mom’s/dad’s best friend. Trust me, the last thing you’ll want to be doing at 4am is buttoning up a sleeper post diaper change. Find as many as you can (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) and add them to your registry so as baby grows you’re already prepared!
#15: Newborn Swing- It’s like magic for when you can’t get your little to sleep. Put them in, pick your swing speed, press the tunes button and watch as your little one drifts off to dreamland for that afternoon nap. The 4moms mamaroo is the top-rated baby swing thanks to its ability to move like you would while rocking your little one. Bounce, swing, sway.. it does it all!
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Items are listed in the order listed above, with some having multiple options. Use the numbers at the top as a reference.
#14: Baby Carrier/Wrap- Whether you decide to go with a wrap or carrier, this is a necessity. There are so many times we’ve been out and didn’t want to push the stroller around. There have even been times around the house when our little guy just wanted cuddles but mommy had stuff to do. No matter what, this will come in handy. We went with a carrier over a wrap, because this allowed us to still go for quick walks without having to put him in his car seat, followed by attaching the car seat to the stroller. Our carrier and a wrap option are linked below.
#13: Breastfeeding Pillow- If you hope to breastfeed, your neck and back will thank you. Breastfeeding pillows offer support to your little one so you don’t have to worry about straining yourself when you’re doing those 8-12 feeds a day. You just sit it on your lap, baby goes on top and voila - they’re at your nipple height. This is also great as they get older/bigger because you can literally lay them on it while they breastfeed and be focused on other tasks (working on your laptop, answering e-mails on your phone, or ya know.. eating, because who knew it would be so hard to get a meal in!?). I’m linking the one we have plus a cheaper option.
#12:Highchair - Ahh yes, the infamous highchair... where cleanliness goes to die. At least that’s what I thought.. the easily removable, easy-to-clean table top made post-feed tidying 10x easier because of its easy “wipe to clean” design. While you won’t need a highchair for quite some time, it’s a great idea to put it on your registry so you already have it when you need it (plus, they aren’t the cheapest item, so it helps to save that expense if possible).
#11: Diaper Genie + Refills- All those dirty diapers need to go somewhere. The diaper genie contains the smell of the dirty diapers and makes for an easy tie-and-toss when the bag is full. While there’s a ton of different brands on the market, there’s no need for an expensive one in my opinion. Stick with the basic, because you’ll be smelling the dirty diapers momentarily when you change the bag regardless.
#10: Medela Freestyle Breastpump (If you plan on breastfeeding)- My favourite thing about this pump is its portability. It makes it extremely easy to multitask (especially when you have a mountain of dishes to do) and cuts the time in half by allowing you to pump both breasts at the same time. Mind you, I usually end up pumping one, feeding our little guy and then pumping out the remainder, but having the versatility to choose one or two breasts makes life easier.
To make your life even easier as far as needing to clean & sterilize the parts after each use (this goes for any breastpump parts), I strongly recommend grabbing a set of the replacement parts & the nipple shields (it’s so much easier for those times when you’re utterly exhausted, but.. surprise! It’s pump time and the parts aren’t clean from this morning/night/what time even is it??). The pump and replacement parts are linked below.
#9: Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer- The exact words I said when someone recommended I get a bottle sterilizer were “I’m NoT tHaT bOuGiE - I cAn UsE a PoT”. HA, boy was I wrong and boy did I regret not putting one on my registry. We boiled our bottles for the first SIX MONTHS of Junior’s existence before we caved, and I can’t fully explain how much easier the sterilizer made our lives. But, I’m going to try - Here’s all the reasons I love this machine over boiling a pot: The Baby Breeza Bottle Sterilizer fits 6 bottles PLUS our breastpump parts and then has room for accessories at the top – it sterilizes AND dries in 1hr 15min MAX. This seems pretty basic, right? Wrong. To put it in perspective, using the baby grass (drying rack), bottles and accessories took between 15-24hrs to dry, depending on the item. That meant we had to hand-dry these super tiny, almost impossible baby items when we needed to use them most of the time. The other big thing? Well, we used the biggest pot we had to boil our bottles and it would take two boiling sessions just to complete what the Baby Brezza Sterilizer does in one quick session. Trust me, when the time this takes is the difference between you eating/showering/extra 20-60 minutes of sleep.. you’ll regret not having a sterilizer.
#8: Baby Bottle Warmer- Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, you’re going to need one of these for when your newborn is fussy and you need to bottle feed them right away (I still remember the newborn screech)! We’ve only tried the Phillips Avent Bottle Warmer, but we love it and would easily buy it again mainly because of the setting options. Whether you need to defrost, quickly warm a refrigerated bottle, or want to get it to and keep it at room temperature (we use this function during bath time so it’s done by the time he’s out and ready for bed) making it easy to “set it and forget it” while you do what you need to for a bit (keep in mind, you don’t want to leave it too long, we usually only leave this setting for 15 minutes, especially with restrictions on breastmilk’s lifetime).
#7: Baby Changing Table, Changing Pad + Cover(s)- This will be where you spend a ridiculous amount of your day, so it’s important to make sure you can store everything you’ll need to change your baby in one place. We went with a changing table that had drawers attached, which we use to store diapers, wipes, and our extra diaper genie pales. This is also a great place to store your Nose Frida + accessories, Baby Tylenol, Breast Pads, Baby Cream, Baby Rash Cream, and other little goodies relative to your little one. When choosing a pad, try to get one that straps baby in (this makes your life easier when that sleeper your looking for happens to be on the other side of the room). I also recommend having AT LEAST two changing pad covers - baby is more comfortable, plus it makes those messy cleanups easier since you just have one to switch it out. Having multiple pad covers means you won’t have to do a wash right away.. And trust me, you may think now “oh, I would definitely be doing a wash right away”, but that will 100% change because.. well, you’d be doing a baby wash probably multiple times a day.. with 1 item.
#6: Baby Monitor– This is an absolute must-have for parents. Whether you want to head out back on the deck while baby sleeps, or just to another room – a baby monitor makes life easier since you’ll always be able to check that your little one is ok!
#5: Bassinet- For the first year, you’ll more than likely have your new bundle of joy sleeping in your room. While some choose to co-sleep, we decided to follow our doctor’s recommendation for safety reasons (but hey, it’s your decision and what works best for you). We loved our bassinet because it was portable and took up less space, making it easy to move room-to-room with what seemed like a forever sleeping newborn.
#4: Playard- We mainly bought it so we could bring it to the grandparents when they babysat so they wouldn’t have to buy their own baby furniture for overnight. The playard comes with a changing pad section that attaches and can be removed from the top, a detachable bassinet, and drops down to a playpen when you need it! This ended up being more for us than it is for the grandparents, and we even use it now as our main bassinet to provide a more comfortable sleep for Junior now that he’s older and bigger (but still not outside of the weight requirement).
#3: Car Seat- Your newborn is so precious, you’re going to want to make sure they’re as safe as can be. It’s a good idea to pick a car seat that you feel comfortable with, and place it on your registry to avoid fronting the bill yourself (especially because they usually range between 20-35lb max weight and you’ll need to upgrade to the next weight eventually). After a month of research, we decided to go with the PIPA Nuna, which was highly rated and light-weight, giving us peace-of-mind when it came to safety.
#2:Baby Stroller- My friends still make fun of me for the excessive list of requirements I had for a stroller. Rubber tires, easy for any terrain, light.. You name it, it was on my list, all while not wanting to break the bank. We went with the City Mini GT Baby Jogger because it had almost everything I needed and wasn’t $1,000+. Make sure you’ve decided what is most important for you and do your research before you buy - I strongly recommend seeing and testing it out in person before making this purchase. However, I will link our stroller below + the necessary adapters if you want to use it with the Nuna Pipa carseat (or others – make sure you check the list to make sure these adapters work with your carseat). Quick note on adapters – these are the part that attach your carseat to the stroller for you infant!
#1: Boppy Newborn Lounger- this was EASILY the best item we received. This was easy to bring in the bathroom when I needed a shower while the baby napped, and also everyday use. Heck, our little guy is nowhere near being a newborn and we still use it because he loves lounging in it (even though his legs now hang over the bottom). This was great for naps in general, as I could prop it on the couch (when pulled out to a bed) when I needed to work, and great to have when we went to visit friends/family.
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Items are listed in the order listed above, with some having multiple options. Use the numbers at the top as a reference.
Here’s a checklist of some other registry must-haves, including a few more big-ticket items that should definitely be on your list! Tap items highlighted in pink to shop.
⁃ *Crib - I recommend doing your research before selecting. Make sure to read reviews if shopping online!
⁃ *Crib Mattress - make sure to read reviews to get the best possible one for baby’s sleep + safety (click here for the one we bought)
⁃ Bibs
⁃ Soothers
⁃ Books
⁃ Toys
⁃ Baby Clothes
⁃ Pacifier Grip (attaches to baby so their soother doesn’t end up on the floor)
⁃ Baby Tylenol
⁃ Baby Vitamin D (you’ll be using this daily)
Disclosure: These links are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. However, keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of my genuine admiration for these products - not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am honoured to have a platform where I can share my love for fashion and everything else with you guys, and I’m doing just that - sharing my love.
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate or third party links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. These links are to products/services through third party websites which I do not own, nor have control over. I have no responsibility for the content, terms and conditions, products, or anything else these websites may request or produce. In reading this, you acknowledge and agree that I cannot be held liable in any way for any issues or damage caused to or received from any third party’s products/services. I link these companies and their products because of my genuine admiration for these products/services - not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am honoured to have a place to share my love for fashion and everything else with you, remaining as transparent as possible.
9 New Mom Must-Haves
Being a new mom is hard. The days are long and the showers are short (if you even get to have one that is). If you’re goal is to try to breastfeed, the majority of your day will be spent being milked by your little one. If you’re formula feeding, you’re still going to be feeding your little one round the clock, so either way, you should prepare yourself now! Here’s a guide to the top 9 must-haves for a new mom who’s home with the baby all day!
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The most important thing will be comfort. You’re going to be puked on, spilled on, probably sweating (I know, it’s not very glamorous), so you’ll want a comfortable pair of sweats and sweater for when you’re running around the house. These men’s sweats were my go-to in the early months, especially considering my c-section scar still hurt like you wouldn’t believe. An oversized sweater is easy to lift up for breastfeeding access.
You’re also going to want some comfortable sports bras - no, they don’t have to be pretty. These were easily my favourite and still all I wear, since they’re so easy to pull up over your boob for a much lower price than a breastfeeding bra.
Another huge item for me was my coffee + water holders. I remember there were days I didn’t leave the couch for 8hrs (yes, you read that right.. the babes would only sleep on me and he would eat in-between). These were my saving grace because I always had my beverages close and ready to go.
While not everyone is into drinking boost or similar supplements, I kid you not this was the only thing keeping me going for MONTHS. I literally didn’t have time to make myself something to eat, so I’d drink one of them to keep me going for a few more hours until my fiancé was home. I seriously don’t know what I would have done without it.
Slippers are also a good idea, because you’re going to want to have something comfy on your feet when you’re rocking your little one (I swear it’s for what seems like forever). Plus, they’re cute and give major mom vibes.
Leggings are great for when you need to run out or have company coming over but you don’t have a ton of time to get ready. Most importantly, after I had given birth, my stomach had a lot of extra skin and wasn’t where I wanted it to be (obvi, we’re only human and just birthed a human). These leggings in particular kept everything smooth and gave me a more structured look, making me feel better about myself.
Finally, nipple pads… yes, you read that right. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll be surprised to find you leak even just looking at your little angel. So, when you’re wearing one of your nicer tops or have company over and simply don’t want them to see your round, milk-filled stain, these come in handy to avoid the awkwardness all together!
These were easily the top items that got me through and helped me feel like a human. Either way, if you’re reading this with a current little one, or one on the way, remember you’re human. You’re going to have good days and bad days, but either way, you’re still doing great mama & I’m rooting for you!
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate or third party links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. These links are to products/services through third party websites which I do not own, nor have control over. I have no responsibility for the content, terms and conditions, products, or anything else these websites may request or produce. In reading this, you acknowledge and agree that I cannot be held liable in any way for any issues or damage caused to or received from any third party’s products/services. I link these companies and their products because of my genuine admiration for these products/services - not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am honoured to have a place to share my love for fashion and everything else with you, remaining as transparent as possible.