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!
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
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?