These posts have been highly requested! I’ve been keeping a running list of our “most used” items during Jack’s first year for new moms. I personally found it so confusing to know what we really needed and when we needed it. Of course, every baby and every family is different but I thought it would be helpful to share just like what we genuinely use a lot. There are more items that I’m sure we use, but these are the things I’d say are “musts” or “really loves” for us. I’ve compiled what we used during the first in this post and what we used in the first three months in this post…. and now I’m doing our six month list. (I think the next one will be at 12 months unless the list gets too long and I’ll break it up at nine.)
Skip Hop Activity Center// My friend’s baby is two weeks ahead of Jack and she texted me one morning saying, “Jack is four months old! You need to buy this activity center… he’s going to love it” She attached a picture of her daughter having a blast. I had actually registered for it and it was sitting in our basement. I thought you couldn’t use it until six months, but it’s 4+ months. Anyway, Jack is obsessed. OBSESSED with it. We try to limit time he spends “contained,” but he would sit in there all day if you let him. Worth every penny– and it grows with baby too, even turning into a table for toddlers down the road!
Mushroom Teether // Jack got his bottom two teeth early and I was scrambling to find something for him to gnaw on. My bumper group was raving about this mushroom teether thing and… yep, I can confirm. It’s a huge hit. I bought multiples just to have backups.
Chew Animals // This set was a Christmas gift from one of Jack’s aunts… immediately Jack fell in love with them, especially the giraffe. I like that these are flat and can easily be washed and won’t collect mold inside.
Books // A kind of self-explanatory one, but books! We’ve been reading to Jack quite a bit since birth, but he’s really getting “into” books now as part of his bedtime routine. I usually cradle him with his back against my belly and bear hug around him to hold the book. One day he turned his head back and realized that I was the one reading the book. He whipped his head back and forth between the book and me and then belly laughed every time he saw my mouth making the words out. Our favorite right now (aka the one I enjoy reading the most is Good Night, Little Blue Truck. I have it memorized at this point.
Seat // Both grandmas have this chair now for Jack. It is a great little booster chair and has a built in tray, too.
Baby Utensils // I got this on a whim in a local store and I’m so glad I did. I had longer baby spoons that are pretty popular, but they were so long that it required me to feed Jack and he much prefers to feed himself. These little utensils are the perfect size and weight. He was using them independently from day one!!! Going to buy more so I can have a few on hand and not have to rewash the one over and over.
Bib // These bibs are genius!! How did moms do it before silicone bibs that rinses off in the sink? The little pocket really does a great job at catching food falling too. (Jack has figured out that he can store food in there for later too, ha.)
High Chair // Loving this high chair so far. It’s incredibly lightweight but sturdy. It also pulls up to the perfect height for our dining room table so Jack can join the party. I also like how simple it is and how easy it is to clean. It doesn’t take up a lot of space in our dining room and it doesn’t “scream” high chair!!!! If that makes sense.
Hand Pump // This is a little bit of a random one, but I’ve been using this hand pump to express a little bit of milk for meal times. Whether we’re practicing drinking from a cup or straw, mixing it into oatmeal, or using it to scramble eggs, it’s so nice not to have to lug out the giant pump or thaw out a full bag of breastmilk.
Straw Sippy Cup // Still trying to find “the one” straw cup, but we are practicing sipping through a straw and skipping bottles altogether. I think for this, we’re still in the process of trying different kinds, but hopefully I’ll have a favorite to report soon.
Tiny Cup // Another “on a whim” purchase. Jack has been practicing to sip from a cup too. It’s so freaking cute. And it’s wild to watch him discover how to do it.
Travel Stroller// With our first big flying trip during this time frame, we used (and loved) a travel stroller. Totally obsessed with it.
Travel Crib // We also used a travel crib multiple times. This one folds up so incredibly tiny and is super easy to set up and break down. My only caveat is that Jack definitely didn’t like the mattress. We borrowed mini mattresses twice for it and I think I’ll end up buying a separate one at some point. (It’s on my to-do list….)
Zip Top Boat and Tote// I looooove LL Bean’s Boat and Tote bags. I have a large one for Jack with long handles and a zippered top and it is such a good baby bag. The zippered top is key. I use it for overnights, his swim lessons, etc.
Converse Sneakers// These are such great little shoes for Jack to wear. They are soft– and most importantly easy to put on because the top folds back with velcro. I like that they are comfortable but look like real shoes without the bulk. It’s not like he’s actually walking anywhere.
Ugg Booties// I can’t remember why I bought these, but I know it was in a moment of panic. We had been gifted a bunch of darling baby booties for winter and all of a sudden Jack’s feet were too big!! I did a curbside pick up for these and they’ve become instant favorites. They are VERY soft and quite warm and easy to put on! He also can’t kick them off at all, which is a huge win.
Patagonia Bunting // Ending with a personal fave… The Patagonia Bunting. Ugh. My heart. I love seeing Jack’s big cheeks in the baby bunting! It’s just so good and can’t be beat. Should have definitely registered for this in a few age-appropriate sizes for winter.
Stroller Gloves // The minute the weather got cold, I ordered these to make our walks a bit more bearable. 100% necessary for cold weather climates!!
So many great ideas and products! Thank you for keeping track of them all in one place! I can’t believe how much he’s grown. http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
He is so precious and adorable. Thank you for sharing all the Jack photos and info. Love seeing him grow!!!! You’re obviously doing a great job. Look at those smiles!
When a stranger offers to take a photo of you and your boys and it ends up being a framer 🫶🏻🥹 Jack is at the perfect age for fun adventures like a trip to the farm (and not just any ole farm, @oldmcdonaldhasafarm!). 🌽 🐄 🐷 👩🏻🌾 We fed the cows, played with the kittens, said hello to bunnies, watched piggies race, saw one month old calves… so much fun for an almost three year old! (And Rory is more than happy to come along for the ride!)
I have been an avid audiobook listener for years. @audible makes it so easy to listen to books by my favorite authors, and discover my next favorite read. Now through 7/31, @audible Prime members can try three months free of an Audible Premium Plus membership; find out more in the link in my bio. I just started The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan 🎧– what should I listen to next??? #ad #audible #audiblepartner #primeday #amazoninfluencer
Reposting because my brother in law was right, this is the better photo and I want it on my grid!! Can we pretend like it’s the first time you’re seeing it 🙊
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The night this photo was taken was one of the most beautiful evenings– we had dinner with our friends outside at Millie’s. Taking turns bouncing Rory and keeping Jack on track to eat his dinner. I couldn’t tell you a single thing that was discussed between rushed bites and standing up and sitting back down only to stand back up again. (In my memory, I was just completely preoccupied with trying to keep Rory out of the sun.) When the final drop of our margaritas were sipped and the last chip with guacamole was consumed, we all got up to go catch the sunset on the beach– bedtimes be damned! As we were walking, my brother in law carrying Rory and Jack on Mike’s shoulders (I was trailing behind with my phone snapping pictures), a man walked by us and said “it may not seem like it, but these are the best days of your life.” He got choked up telling us about his children; I got choked up thinking about how lucky we are. The air was cool and the sun was painting the sky with cotton candy colors and I said to Mike, “I’m so overwhelmed all the time but it’s the best kind of overwhelm.” I feel like I’m drowning most days– there’s always more to do and less time to do it in– and I’m touched out and overstimulated and my brain is most definitely mush. And they’re still the very best days. 🫶🏻
I’m Carly! I have been creating content online for over fifteen years- I started my blog my freshman year of college and now I’m a 34 year old mom of two little boys.
Right now I am finding the sweet spot of mothering and working. I am creating a magical, simple childhood for my boys while still finding time to do things that fill my own cup like working out, reading, practicing photography, and needlepointing.
I feel best when I put on a cute outfit in the morning and a tiny bit of makeup and have my hair blown out… but I also want to be comfortable and I am embracing my wrinkles and I’m letting my hair go grey.
My dream is to own a bookstore (one day!!), I am a huge homebody (major JOMO), and I’d love for to follow along! 🫶🏻
Perfect! Thank you so much! Just made the biggest Amazon order because of this post 😀
So many great ideas and products! Thank you for keeping track of them all in one place! I can’t believe how much he’s grown.
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
He is so precious and adorable. Thank you for sharing all the Jack photos and info. Love seeing him grow!!!! You’re obviously doing a great job. Look at those smiles!
Jack is honestly the cutest little baby around! His smile makes me smile 🙂
The age/milestone card in the photo of Jack at the top of this post is just so darling! Mind sharing where it’s from?