Stuff we love... six months edition

Before our lives were flipped upside down by the arrival of our little man, I wrote a post on baby registry recommendations, and I promised to come back and write about how it's all worked out for us.  I just scrolled through that post again, and apparently I did a really good job stealing ideas from all the mommas who went before me, because almost every item on that list has been awesome.  Rather than go through them all, I thought I'd just point out the best, the stuff that didn't work for us, and the few many items we've acquired since Finn's arrival that have been lifesavers.


Best:

Bumbleride Indie Stroller.  Obsessed.  I'm sorry if you've asked for a stroller recommendation in my general vicinity and have been subject to a book-length/hour-long outpouring of praise for this, but I just love it that much.  We also have a more lightweight stroller but we don't use it because this one works so well.  (We have the 2010 model, and the 2011 comes in some sweet new colors but unfortunately doesn't come standard with the rain cover anymore.)

BabySmart Cooshee Changer.  I can't imagine washing a changing pad cover every time it got something on it.  Maybe I just have particularly bad diaper changing timing, but something gets on this quite a lot, and it's really easy to wipe down.  I can't imagine not having this.

 

bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diaper 4.0. Runner-up honors go to Charlie Banana and Fuzzibunz, but our butts hearts belong to BumGenius.

Target Gilligan & O'Malley Nursing Tanks.  I think I now own eight, and wear them all the time.  Someday I will be excited to just wear normal undergarments again, but for now they make my life a lot easier.

BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier.  This wins huge points for being Dad friendly (he picks this as #1 most-needed item).  I dabbled in the Moby Wrap as well, but it was just too hot this summer to have Finn all swaddled up in it.  (We will give it another go this winter.)  The Bjorn carrier is key for grocery shopping, walks, and general it-would-be-nice-to-have-two-hands-right-now situations.

Fisher-Price Rainforest Bouncer.  When I went to choose a photo for this, I had about 200 to choose from.  That should tell you that we use it A LOT.  It's so key to have a couple of spots to put your baby down, and we used this SO SO SO much in the beginning.  Even now we use it quite a bit and Finn takes a lot of naps in it.

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Not that useful for us:

Wubbanub Infant Pacifier.  Finn never took a pacifier.  We gave this to his friend Lucy though, who goes nuts over the wubbanubs.

Graco Jump N Jive Doorway Jumper.  We can't use it... I am not a big fan of doing logical things like measuring to make sure stuff will fit before ordering.  Do as I say, not as I do (especially if you have a super old house like us).  I think Finn will love this though, when and if I remember to bring it over to his grandparents' house.

Graco Blossom Highchair.  I don't hate this, but I wouldn't totally recommend it.  I do like that it is on wheels and that it's convertible.  BUT it breaks my golden rule of "baby stuff that is associated with eating, pooping, or peeing should not have fabric on it".  Jury is still out on whether or not I will spring for a super awesome one instead (I'm looking at you: Stokke Tripp Trapp).  (But who are we kidding, I probably will.)


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More Recent Awesome Stuff: Here's the thing that nobody tells you when you are making your baby registry.  Stores?  They STILL EXIST after the baby is born.  Amazon Prime is my best friend, and I swear sometimes this stuff appears on my doorstep mere moments after I click order.

Bright Starts Around We Go Activity Station, Doodle Bugs. This guy is the hands-down #1 MVP in our house right now.  We got it when Finn was around four months old, and it was great even then, but now that he's big enough to "walk" around the table it's even better. Finn goes nuts over it.  When he's even older, the seat can be removed and then it will be an activity table.  With a snack tray.  Love.

Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket with Carrying Case.  Sara recommended this blanket, and I actually registered for this but it wasn't in my original post.  It should have been... we get so much use out of it.  It's awesome at the park, the beach, and just on the floor in your house.  Now that Finn constantly wants to be crawling around on the floor we take it everywhere.

Jolly Jumper Stroller Caddy.  This was cheap and it's perfect for when you don't want to lug your whole diaper bag around but need a couple of things for a walk.  Plus, two cup holders are key.

Trumpette Shoe Socks. These socks are stupidly expensive, but they are pretty much the only ones we ever use.  I like the ones with the laces the best because it really does look like your baby is wearing shoes... and I am a bit of a stickler for Finn having at least socks on when it's cold out.  The 0-12 month size definitely doesn't fit for that long though, and I'm contemplating springing for the toddler size now at six months.

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder. This makes a huge mess but Finn LOVES it.  Food from a spoon, sure, that's cool... but food from this mesh thing that he can feed himself?  He goes nuts.

BABYBJÖRN Soft Bib.  I've mentioned this before, but it deserves another shout out.  These are the only bibs we ever use.  They're easy to clean, catch food AND liquid, and stay on.

I could probably go on all day about baby products, and how it's super tempting to throw money at each new baby curveball that comes your way.  But sometimes it's worth it.  A lot of this stuff has been worth its weight in gold in terms of function and convenience. And cuteness.  Let's not forget cuteness.

(If you'd like to stalk shop along with me, there's now a list on the sidebar of what Amazon has most recently dropped on my doorstep.)