What We Love: Dr Brown's Baby Products

What We Love: Dr Brown's Baby Products

 

Hey lovelies, I will be updating you in the next day or so on another pregnancy update now that we are near the end and im over 38 weeks pregnant.  For now I wanted to share with you all about Dr Brown's baby products! I was approached by Dr Brown's to try a few of their items out, as best as I can before our little girl is here, and I was instantly excited to jump on it! We used a few of their bottles with our son and he did great with them.  We tried their Wide neck bottle which is easier to fill and hold and the silicone nipple is also broader based which some babies prefer, i also have the standard Dr Browns bottles in their new pink color for baby girl to try! We were so intrigued by their Deluxe bottle warmer and Deluxe electric bottle sterilizer and how quickly and easily they clean and heat the bottle, we had to try both of those!  Head over to the Dr Brown's website and watch their short video clip on how each work, i promise you'll want to invest in one of these bad boys if you're a working mom like me and need your sitter to be able to have clean bottles readily available as well as get the bottle to the correct temperature for the baby without having to run it under hot sink water or boil a pot of water to heat it.  I love that their breastmilk storage bags hold 6 oz measured right there for you so your husbands or babysitters can easily figure out how much they're feeding the baby. Lastly, I had to try the Gia nursing pillow, this pillow is uniquely shaped so that one end works well for newborns (thick end) and the thin end is best for older babies, it has a broader surface than most nursing pillows which is great because then the baby is well-supported and more comfortable.

 

^^^This is the easiest way to warm a bottle ive ever seen! The Deluxe Bottle Warmer can heat a bottle or a babys food! Its an easy to use LCD control panel and it can adjust the basket to fit different sized bottles. It shuts off on its own after 10 minutes too, so its safe for us tired mamas!

 

^^^This is the Deluxe Electric Sterilizer:  It Safely steam sterilizes 6 BOTTLES in 12 MINUTES! Its literally a 1 button operation and has auto shut off when the cycle is complete. ^^^^

 

^^^It has compartments for not just the bottle base but the nipples and pieces that go inside.^^^

 

^^^Gia nursing pillow with the cover "Beckie" 

To all of my mommy followers, i know how important it is to find a good bottle that you're baby will take! I would recommend trying these 100%!

Shop Dr Browns Here

Baby Must Haves: For First & Second Babys

My baby must haves for first and second babys!

Motorola <span>Baby Monitors</span>
Target <span>Bras</span>

My baby must haves for first and second babys!

I wanted to share with you ladies my list of  "must haves" for first but especially second babys or multiples. I always love hearing other moms opinions on products, especially the big ones like strollers, before purchasing or adding to my registry.  These are items I have tried before or have done a ton of "mom to mom" research on or borrowed from friends to see if I like them.  

So lets start from the top and move our way across from left to right. When you have a toddler to chase after, especially one under two years old, you need a good baby carrier that youre baby will be comfortable in and enjoy as well as one that wont kill your back (cough, my bjorn).  The Ergo 360 gives you the option to carry an infant and a toddler, they can face you or turn outwards (which by 4 months old thats all my little guy wanted to do so i know thats a must for us), it can also be worn as a backpack with a bigger toddler or baby on your back, a must for fun hikes!   Thats on my registry and I think its one of the biggest must haves for us.  The second baby carrier is the Solly baby wrap, its the best wrap by far.  I have tried several others and wasnt too big of a fan. I love wraps for when theyre itty bitty and you just want them wrapped around you constantly while cleaning or cooking or just walking around.  Theres something about a newborn wrapped up in a tiny bit of soft fabric hanging around your front that just feels right.  

Next up we have the swing, this is the swing we used with Cash and loved it (obviously a different color). It can go different speeds, has a mobile and plays different sounds.  We have heard good and bad things about the MamaRoo so we decided not to buy one, but our good friends said we can borrow theirs if our baby is fond of it. Sometimes swings are a baby to baby preference kind of thing.  

I added some Aiden + Anais burp cloths, towel, and their bamboo swaddle blankies because theyre the best!! If you havent tried them, you must!!  I also added the cute pottery barn critter towels that have little animal heads on them for the hoodie.. i just loved these on my first and would love one for my second in a girlier version.

The first video monitor is the one we currently have, we had a Summer video monitor and it broke twice, it never had service even when we were 10 feet away.. so we returned it. The store clerk told me they get the most returns for Summer and to get a Motorola video monitor so thats what we did and we have had no problems whatsoever.  We would like to have a split camera video monitor for both kids rooms so we can see both of them on one screen. It comes with two cameras and you can link up to 4 kids on one screen i believe. I think this is essential for when we go on vacations, or you have people babysitting them that want to check up on them, or they're sick and not sleeping well, or even for when we switch Cash into a big boy bed we'll want to see him and see what hes doing in his room after we leave and close the door, for a new baby its obviously a give in to be able to see them and make sure they're breathing and you can hear them when they wake for feedings (since we alll know how exhausted parents are of a new baby, hearing the monitor right next to my head was the only way i was waking up for those night feedings).  

Lets talk strollers.  I LOVE our Britax B-Ready so we are keeping it and getting the second seat adapter. Our britax B safe infant carseat snaps right into the stroller and can face either direction. Once they're around 4-5 months they can go in the big seat and snap either direction as well. The second seat sits behind/below the original seat but doesnt impair too much of the childs view.  I also wanted a side by side option in the jogger, we LOOOOOOVE our Bob single jogger, its so light weight, easy for walks and runs and also for the beach or disneyland, you barely can tell youre pushing anything.  My only complaint about all joggers is that they are required to be at a 70% incline which means the baby is somewhat reclined and cant ever sit all the way up to see everything around them.  THis is a safety feature to keep them sturdy and safe for running.  This is one of the main reasons i wouldnt have just the jogger as my only stroller option. I would also like to be able to only have a single stroller for when Cash is a little older and wants to walk rather than be put in his stroller, so thats what the Britax offers.  I also like how the britax isnt a side by side so its easily fit through doors and can be taken to restaurants and the mall without knocking people over lol.  So we've decided to do both options. For the BOb double Jogger we also wanted the infant adapter so we could stick our britax B safe infant carseat right in there, it comes with a snack tray for the other child sitting in the other seat.  I put the Britax Bsafe infant carseat up there too, we love love love ours and have so many friends with the same carseat that adore it as well, most importantly it has great safety reviews.

For my breast Pump I added to the list what i used for my first baby, i used this ALL THE TIME, i am a working mama a couple days a week so I knew i needed a double pump that would do a good job and be efficient.  I love this pump, you have the option of plugging into an outlet or if youre on the go you can use the battery pack and pump literally anywhere, in the car, in a restaurant, at the beach etc.  It also comes with a portable cooler with an icepack that lasts up to 24 hours i believe.  And several bottles come with it as well as all of the pieces you need to pump with and several extras.  All of this fits inside this cute discrete black purse (which is the pump motor itself).  FUnny story, i took my pump with me to Aspen Colorado  when Cash was 5 months (he came too) and i put it through the bag screening at the airport and they basically thought it was a bomb or something crazy. They pulled that thing apart and inspected it for at least 15 minutes, I had to explain to them that it was a pump implanted inside of the purse for breastfeeding...finally they believed me and let me go. HA! So if you're at the airport let them know in advance before you put it through.  (;

Next up, my black leather diaper bag! I love this diaper bag, it comes with so many great pockets, a mini clutch purse inside, a changing pad for on the go usage and it doesnt look like a diaper bag! I love that. My hubby can carry it and still looks manly and it has plenty of space for 2 kiddos.

I added a couple nursing bras, one for comfort when you're around your home or for when you sleep at night those first couple months, and then a second for every day out of the house use that doesnt look funky underneath clothes.

I hope this helps any of you that had questions about second baby must haves or on any of these products. IF you want to know anything else that I may have forgotten please ask away in the comments section. Also, if you have any other great items to add for us mamas please do so in the comments! And as always be sure to subscribe on the right with your email so i know who my followers are!! 

XO

Cash's Nursery Tour

Cash's Nursery Tour

Hi loves, its about time I showed you a little tour of this love of mine's nursery. It took me awhile to finish because i wasn't able to start until he was born because we moved when he was 6 weeks old.  Having a newborn at home doesn't really spark motivation to be moving around furniture, putting decals on the walls, and hanging picture frames and mobiles... but slowly but surely we were able to complete his room.  I have some changes i'd like to make, and probably will continue to shift things around until I have a new babies room to work on, its some weird mom nesting thing (or at least thats what i keep telling myself).  His room is definitely the cleanest and cutest, in my opinion. 

Lets just start with the decals ^^^ those triangle spicy orange decals are honestly a deal breaker. I knew we needed some the moment I spotted them in The Lovely Wall's shop.  They matched perfectly and add so much personality to the room. The best part is they are so easy to put on and take off! Theres no need for painting or wall paper when you have adorable decals that just stick right on and peel right off!!! Theres more where that came from below... But in the mean time go check out the cutest over at The Lovely Wall's decal shop here.

I made these Cash letters using paint and wood letters from Michaels craft store, and used a stencil to make the polka dots and stripes. Easy! I just LOVE DIY crafts! The fabric banner was made for my baby shower and we knew we wanted to use it for his nursery so we had the lovely Vintage Green Limited custom design it to match the colors and pattern of his room.

  

A lot of you have asked about his chevron rug, its Pottery Barn kids as well as his crib skirt, bumper, sheets, and that cable knit blanket and quilt.

The people at my work are like family to us and threw me a Story book themed baby shower where they gifted Cash with all of their favorite books and a note inside for him to read when he's older.  Here are some of our favorites. Im so happy he has a collection, we read every day.  This book shelf is also from Pottery Barn.  I have it hung on the wall because his infant swing was underneath it, but we've put that away now so we are going to lower it to the floor and hang a collage of 4 pictures above it. I'll show you that in a month or so when we make the changes.

We name our son after Johnny Cash, the famous musician, so we put a touch of music into his room with that DIY rock sign and metal picture.  On the right we have Stackable farm animals, the stuffed elephant, the adorable owl mirror, and white glass Owl piggy bank are all from Pottery Barn kids.  The picture frames are old frames i repainted in different colors to match his room. The shelf is from Lowe's.

I wish i had gotten a pic of the cute Anywhere Personalized Pottery Barn Chair! Its over there to the left. Its honestly become the cats nap zone, she liked to sleep right up next to the crib when Cash goes down for naps and bed, she's obsessed with him to say the least.  The Crib is the Delta Bentley 4-in-1 convertible crib, so we'll be getting a ton of use out of it because it converts from a crib into a toddler bed, day bed, and full size bed! 

His mobile is one of my favorite pieces in his room, it sort of goes with that rock vibe, and its Pottery Barn kids.  (I'm not only swoon over everything pottery barn, and my house may or may not be 75% pottery barn, but its because we registered there for our baby shower and wedding, so forgive the repetitiveness). His chair is from Amazon, its so cozy and Cash's favorite thing is to climb up on it and stand to touch the mobile or rock back and fourth laughing hysterically. He's the cutest. He also likes to stand on the chair and tug on the curtain (OH BOY!).

I spy Jellycat Bunny (Nordstrom).  Blanket also Pottery Barn Kids.

The dresser was given to us from a friend and i believe its an antique she painted and it just so happened to match his room perfectly! The 2 little birdies canvas painting was picked up from Hobby Lobby (a Christina SoCal craft store), on top of the shelf is a silver baby rattle, a glass cradle and little white drummer boy & they are all antique vintage pieces we picked up while thrifting on our baby moon so they hold special meaning to us, the Jesus Loves Me print is from my good friend's shop BC PRINTS, they're a must check out online store!  The 3 baskets hold his diapers, lotions, creams, brush etc and thats from Pottery Barn as well.  The basket to the left on the floor was made by a family friend and holds all of his blankets.  

The "Dream Big Little One" decal is probably my favorite thing about his room and its custom made by The Lovely Wall to match his room. You guys have to drop over there, Megan makes the raddest decals for any room or theme for your home. I wish I had some decals for our bathroom and bedroom because they're in need of some dressing up.

I SO wish we had our own home so I could do something about this carpet. It doesn't really fit well with his colors but what are you gunna do?! So forgive this clash and just focus on those cute little chevron toy bins. These are Pottery Barn Kids, who would've guessed? 

I hope you enjoyed the tour! It was tough to get a picture of the entire room but all that I really left out was the two closets, one holds my husbands clothes since he gave me our closet, nice man he is! And the other holds some of Cash's toys and we store things in there like extra diapers and such.

XO

Our Picks For Baby Products: Giggle Tree Toys

 Our Picks For Baby Products: Giggle Tree Toys

For 15% OFF Use COUPON CODE: TessaToys01 

I will always share with you all our picks for safe, fun, and adorable baby products! Im all about reading reviews on products we'll be using with Cash before purchasing them. And even better, I LOVE when my mama friends tell me from their personal experience what worked for them and what didn't.  So Im going to be doing more posts on baby friendly products that our family fully supports and hopefully we can share in this little blog community what products that all you other mamas and mamas-to-be enjoy. 

Today I'm reviewing GiggleTree Toys! GiggleTree is owned by the sweetest man named Walt. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee (LUCKKKKY, I know.. we'd love to live there but just could never make the move because of all the family we have here in California).  He has been crafting wooden toys for thirty years! He HANDCRAFTS them in his shop in Nashville and puts such heart and pride into the high quality of each of his creations.  

" The purpose of GiggleTree Toys is to foster creativity and imagination for the young and young at heart and I am lucky this brings me such great satisfaction. In my opinion, nothing is more important for a child than the opportunity to exercise their vivid imagination" - Walt Dula

He has all sorts of goodness on his Etsy shop! You MUST check it out (GiggleTree Toys click the link)

All items are NON-TOXIC, Hypoallergenic, all Reclaimed Solid wood, and finished with hand-rubbed Natural BeesWax!! 

Walt sent us some great items that I just couldn't wait to share with you all! He JUST created this adorable turtle that is colorful and vibrant and even Cash at 3 months old was infatuated and wanted to immediately pick it up and put it in his mouth.  I dont think this item is even out yet but it will be soon! We were so excited to test it, and we LOVED it! This little turtle comes with wooden wheels so when Cash is a bit bigger he'll be able to glide it across the floor (just like toy cars! and we know little boys love those!).  I felt so safe giving this over to the hands of my 3 month old.. i wasnt nervous at all about him chewing and sucking on every surface of the toy that he could find.  Even the paint is baby safe! I love the feeling of knowing im doing everything I can to protect my little angel from harm. And to know I can do that through giving him safe toys is just such an easy decision for me to make. Natural Wood toys are the way to go, especially at this age when everything goes into their mouths!

He also sent us an adorable Pterodactyl Dinosaur Wooden Toy. I love this because Im all about anything dino! I think dinosaurs are just he cutest and cant wait to teach Cash about when they inhabited our Earth & all the different types.  He can chew on this and play with his other toys with it. It'd also be a great gift for Christmas and you could even use it as a collectors item on a shelf in a childs room or nursery.  Its even finish with hand-rubbed NATURAL beeswax!! Can't get anymore baby friendly than that! I don't know about you but i'd way rather have my child chewing on natural products verses products that contain chemicals and plastic. Heres Canaan having some fun with the dino!

Canes making the dino fly ( ;

The last item he sent was for our little nephew Canaan. He just turned 1 so a walking grasshopper was the perfect little surprise for him to play with now that hes walking! This wooden grasshopper's appendages move as you pull the string! Its honestly the funniest and cutest thing to watch the boys get such a kick out of the grasshopper moving. Its too cute when Canaan see's it following behind him. They can also sit and play with it and pull on the legs etc.  These items are all very well made, safe, all reclaimed wood, non-toxic,  hypoallergenic products and safe for babies and kids of all ages.  They're durable and adorable! I highly recommend you check out his shop and all the wonderful little creatures he makes!

Again here is the link to his Etsy shop: GiggleTree Toys

For 15% OFF Use COUPON CODE: TessaToys01 

Your little would love to get their hands on these! Christmas is just next month so shop away!!