Bringing Life into Focus: 2013

Of my favorite things! So before Riley was even here, I was researching, researching and doing some more researching. I will admit it, I'm completely anal about finding out everything about products and I wasn't going to skimp when it came to stuff for the baby. The way I see it, if I or anyone else (registry) was going to spend money on a gift I wanted to make sure it was good quality and not money wasted. So I have compiled a list of my favorite items to hopefully help others! It is so daunting with so many baby items out there.

Clothing & Accessories

Legwarmers! I saw these and thought "really? why?", but after getting a few pairs I love them. They make diaper changes so easy, especially when she was so little. When I'm just hanging out with her at home pants drive me crazy to take on and off 10+ times a day. I have some BabyLegs and DIY wool. I was able to get the BL after Thanksgiving 3 pairs for $12 shipped free. BabyLegs Website

Kimono style onsies, these are great for babies when they are still really small or ahem, babies like Riley with giant heads, sorry little girl. ;) Kimono Babysoy Onesie

Gown/bundler, these are great for nighttime making diaper changes easy. Gown

Sleep sacks are pretty much a "must" since you cannot use blankets. We used Halo swaddle sleep sacks at first, then regular sleep sacks once she was older. Swaddle Sack  Sleepsack

Diapers

Kawaii Cloth Diapers - Love these! I have tried a few other brands, but these are still my favorite. The bamboo are great, so soft and gentle on the skin. You can order them on a few different sites, but these two are my favorite. Kawaii Diapers  Diaper Junction ( <-- had great Black Friday deals!) Diaper junction also carries diaper rite brand bamboo which I really like too. I have started using bamboo prefolds inside the diapers since Riley is such a heavy wetter. Imagine bamboo prefolds from Nickis are my favorite.

Disposables - To be honest, I really am not sold on any certain brand. I have tried Bamboo Nature, Seventh Generation, Earth's Best, Babyganics and Naty. They have all given leaks and blowouts at least a few times. Plus I have noticed that they give her a rash so easily. Why? Well my theory is that she is wet, but doesn't realize it since they wick away the moisture but then it still sits against her skin and causes a rash. I just don't like them and prefer cloth when possible.

Wipes - Babyganics, Earths Best and Seventh Generation are the main ones I use. It just depends on what I can get on sale.

Diaper Cream - Cjs is wonderful for the diaper bag! No more getting it all over your hands. Cjs Stick I also love Earth Mama's Diaper Cream, they really just have wonderful products in general. Earth Mama

Wool Covers - I have started using interlock and a few knit covers at night to help prevent leaks. They are wonderful, no more soiled sheet changes. Here is the seller I bought from on Etsy, great service, products and prices. Baaby Diapers

Accessories & Extras

Breastpump - This was a lifesaver when my milk came in Riley decided not to latch. With the pump I would have been in trouble. I haven't needed it as much lately but it's great to have. You can also check with your insurance to see if they cover the cost. Medela Pump

Lullaby Earth Mattress - I was very picky when it came to her mattress. I didn't realize all the chemicals that are used on them because of fire safety concerns. This mattress meets those standards but without the potentially harmful and toxic chemicals. It is not made with organic cotton, but I wasn't as worried about that considering I would have organic pad and sheet on top of the mattress. Lullaby Earth

Mattress Pad - So far this has held up really well, I even got a second one I liked this one so much. TL Organic Pad

Velour Sheet - Love this sheet, so soft and fits her mattress well! Velour Organic Sheet

Monitors - We had this monitor on our registry and it is wonderful! The sound and VOX is great, plus the temp reading is nice for her room. Angelcare Monitor I always said, "We really don't need a video monitor." That was until Riley started getting herself caught in the crib rails! She rolls around and gets her legs hung up in the crib rails since you are no longer advised to use bumpers. We wish we would have got it sooner! The video is great, but the sound isn't as good as the Angelcare and it has no VOX which is a must since we have the sound machines. So we end up just muting the video monitor and use both. Video Monitor

Sound machine - This is another one of those things I thought "Really?", but it has been a lifesaver some nights when trying to get her to sleep. We have two, plus I highly suggest downloading a app too. Giraffe Sound Machine (great for traveling) Lullaby Machine (main one in her room, also has projector) The only thing I do not like about the giraffe is that it is on a timer and she sometimes wakes up when the timer runs out. The lullaby has a timer as well as a one a option to just leave it on all night.

Thermal blanket - I registered for this blanket online liking that it was a warm organic blanket. It has been my favorite, holding up very well after many washes and is still soft. Some of our other blankets have become rough after numerous washes. Thermal Blanket

Bouncer - This was one of the items I ended up getting an incredible deal on Ebay. I really love the Bjorn products. They are made so well and don't use harmful chemicals in their textiles. This bouncer has been priceless when it came to traveling. Bjorn Bouncer  Toy Bar (really should be included, but Riley loves playing with it) Boppy Head Support (used this when she was little in bouncer and other items)

Carseat - Love this carseat! I ended up getting this gently used with 2 bases. This carseat is so easy to use especially with the bases. Chicco Keyfit 30 Riley is in this seat now and we love it! Recaro ProRide (figured she needed the color that was named after her ;))

Kidco Go Pod - My new favorite thing! Riley does not like to be put down, so this has been wonderful when traveling. It is also great because it is so lite I can easily carry it upstairs and set it up. Go Pod This is the main stationary one we keep at home. Jumper I like that it has a "pad" her feet sit on since we have hard floors downstairs.

Ikea Antilop High Chair - Mom got me a high chair at a garage sale and I loved it at first, but now that she's really eating it was hard to clean. : / I had heard lots of recommendations on the Ikea chair and finally ordered one. I love it and at $35 shipped, it's a incredible value! Ikea Antilop

Man, that's alot of stuff! But it should last us through multiple kids, so I guess we should think of it that way. ;) We registered at Amazon and BuyBuyBaby. We loved BuyBuyBaby because after the showers were over, they were willing to price match the Amazon price as well as give us our 10% off. They are wonderful to register with and were very helpful!

As I lay here in bed I can't help but be thankful. Today was a good day and Riley was so sweet. She took two steps on the 18th and I will never forget it. She was just all smiles and overjoyed. It is so cool to me also because she did it right before our anniversary, so I will always remember. I'm just so thankful for every day we have her and get to watch her grow.

I'm also so thankful for Tim. He's worked so hard lately and even harder today, poor guy. I messed my back up this morning and could barely stand up straight when he came home early. Tim cleaned up the house and grabbed Riley when I needed him to. He has always been a great husband but now he's an amazing dad. Its days like today I'm reminded of both those things. So for my wonderful hardworking loving husband, I am thankful.

Waking up after a jog :)