Packing your diaper bag with Dr. Brown's

This post is sponsored by Dr. Brown's.  All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from that of yours.

A purse, of some sort, is usually always attached to a woman.  They are a sense of pride and usually a really big investment for that woman.  Than you become a mom.  Do you still carry your purse and a diaper bag, only a diaper bag, or only a purse.  Everyone has their own style, but babies, they need things.  I was never the winner at those games played at bridal showers where everyone sees what is in there purse.  Now I will trample on anyone with the contents of my bag.  Hand sanitizer, wet wipes and disinfectant spray...check, check and check.   So what makes your diaper bag complete?

 I feel like packing a great diaper bag is a learned art.  Your babies needs change as well so your bags contents have to constantly evolve.  Specially in this weather you need to be prepared with items to keep baby healthy and clean.

Germs are just flying everywhere so that is when you need to turn to Dr. Brown's and their Healthy Wipes.  Healthy wipes are just one of the many things that I always keep in my diaper bag.  They make three kinds that are great for all ages: Tooth & Gum, Nose & Face, and Pacifier & Bottle wipes.

The Tooth & Gum wipes are great for after bottles or meals to make sure nothing is lingering in your little ones mouth.  They are simple to use and you wipe there gums just like you would anything else.  Now that we have a clean mouth, let's get to cleaning the one thing that is always dirty: the nose and face!  Specially with snotty colds, we are constantly wiping Nugget's nose and it can get so dry.  These wipes are free from alcohol so drying isn't an issue and they are are safe for skin and eyes. 

 Finally, my favorite are the Pacifier & Bottle wipes.  While I am not normally a germophobe, there are times where your baby's pacifier ends up is the grossest places.  High chairs are probably the most disgusting thing we come in contact with and I just pull out one of these and wipe that bad boy off.

When your little one is brand new, you need the most stuff to get through a day or at least you think you need the most stuff.  So what did my diaper bag look like when Nugget was newbie? Those first couple of times I left with Nugget, I felt like I packed the whole nursery. Considering we cloth diaper, space is at a premium.  I start with my diaper bag.  It is a Petunia Pickle Bottom Satchel and I LOVE IT!  It turns into a backpack, which before kids, I would have thought was really lame.  Now it is really awesome.  I feel like the size is just big enough to give me room for what I need and not to big that everything gets lost.

So you have a great bag, what do you pack in it?  This is going to depend on how old your baby is but this is what my diaper bag looked like when Nugget was a newborn:

• Dr. Brown's Healthy Wipes
• two burp rags
• two outfits
• 4-5 diapers
• disposable wipes
• hand sanitizer
• wet ones
• diaper cream
• like 10 pacifiers
• a wubbanub
• a small toy (which was never once used)
• mittens
• socks
• pants
• wallet
• keys
• changing pad
• bib
• thermometer
• nose frida
• gas drops

The list goes on and on and I probably used one thing while I was out with him.  Being a new mom, you have no idea and you want to be prepared.  Nugget is now 12 months old and this is what I take:

• Dr. Brown's Healthy Wipes
• 1 Gerber prefold as burp rag
• 1 onesie
• 2 diapers
• cloth wipes
• wipe spray
• diaper cream
• a wubbanub
• 18 trillion toys
• changing pad
• and my wallet

I still carry to much stuff.  So what is your must have in your diaper bag for the winter months?

We are giving away a set of Healthy Wipes so you can always be prepared in these cold, germy months.  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 Baby Shower Presents Any Mom Would Love

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through one of these links I will receive a potion of the sale.

There is nothing I like more than registering for presents...there I said it.  Who doesn't want to pick out exactly what you want down to the color and the print.  I look back and think about registering for a baby and how overwhelming it was.  None of my friends had kids yet so I didn't have anyone to turn to so I just started scanning.  We ended up getting everything we needed even though my registry was all over the board.  My favorite presents, though, were the ones that came from new moms.  They know what you need.  It may not be the fun stuff to buy but they have a little one who has wants and needs.  Those wants and needs are probably much different than what the mothers of grow children remember.

I have come up with some non-traditional shower presents, non-traditional in the sense that there are no stuffed animals or blankets involved.  This is stuff that got used in my house and/or we had to run out with a new baby to retrieve.  If you are pregnant and not an Amazon Prime/Mom Subscriber yet, save yourself the guessing game and sign up now!

ARV: $94

I think there are few things that new parents need more than sleep.  No, this gift won't magically make their baby sleep but it will give them some options.  

• The Sleep Sheep was a life saver and made Nugget take his first nap in the swing.  At 11 months we still use it.  
• Next up is Swaddlemes.  When you have a newborn that you are trying to get a good fit on diapers and not wake up to much you want a quick easy to change swaddle.  We used the blanket but nothing was as secure as the Swaddlemes.  
• The No-Cry Sleep Solution isn't just a how to make you baby sleep book.  It really is understanding of how your baby sleeps to bring light on to why your baby is waking. 
• The Napping House is one of my favorites and I think you will enjoy it as well.  
• Last but not least, the Cloud B Twilight Turtle.  This little guy serves many purposes.  It is a night light, a toy and soother.  Nugget now loves to look at the stars before he goes to sleep. He also enjoys playing with it during the day.

ARV: $50

We really didn't get any toys for my baby shower and were pretty clueless when it came to what would give us the most bang for your buck.  

• Nugget's favorite lovey then and now is the Wub.  You can get them in all sort of animals and they are all stinkin' cute.  The best part?  When this paci drops it doesn't bounce all over and land in a muddy puddle, just falls and stops.  
• The Oball was Nugget's first toy and now we have every toy they make.  It is great for little hands to grab, throw and catch.  
• Indestructibles are books that are made to be chewed, slobbered on, and crinkled.  They can't be ruined and are all washable.  You will understand the importance when all your board books start to look like mice were using them for lunch.  
• Look, Look is great when practicing tummy time with a little baby.  The images are all black and white and Nugget really showed a lot of interest in them.  
• The Sassy Tummy Time Mirror was another toy that helped with teaching Nugget to roll.  He loved staring at himself!  
• Then, of course, links.  You can never have enough and there are so many uses for them.  I don't know a parent who doesn't have a set of these.

ARV: $50

Bath time is our favorite time!  Whenever Nugget is crabby we are able to draw a bath and whatever was making him mad before has totally been forgotten.

• The Ducky Tub was what we went to after Nugget could sit up on his own.  It saves you a ton of water versus filling up the whole tub.  
• His favorite toys are the Nuby Splish Splash Stacking Cups and some plain ole foam letters.  Both of these are great because they can't retain water.  Rubber Duckies get nasty with mold over time so we try to avoid them.  
• The Green Toy My First Tug Boat serves as a water spout as well as a great toy.  
• Finish off the gift with a super cute hooded towel and you are good to go!

ARV: $97

The first couple of weeks after I was handed my new baby he had gas real bad.  We had nothing on hand to remedy it which meant that Dufda had to go to the store and try to figure out what product we needed.  I would have loved to have received all the simple remedies in one gift.  

• The New Parent's Survival Kit has a little bit of everything for those first days when you don't want to leave the house.  
• A must have is the NoseFrida.  It is the ultimate booger sucker and no, the boogers don't' even get close to your mouth.  
• The Zo-Li Buzz saved us in the beginning because we were so afraid to cut Nugget's fingers while doing his nails.  This just files them down and isn't uncomfortable.  
• Boogie wipes are the best smelling snot wipers there are.  I would love if someone wiped my nose with this grape tissue. 
•  A fun going to the doctor book because you can never have enough books.  
• Add in a brush and comb for good measure.

ARV: $80

This is a super practical gift that the mom may not appreciate at the shower but will understand more after she brings home her baby.  

• Gerber onesies in every size will make sure that she at least has back up in the diaper bag and car.  I would stick with short sleeve since it is hard to predict what size they would be in for long sleeve.  
• Socks in every size because you can never have enough baby socks. 
• Gerber Prefolds to use a burp rags.  Yes, cute burp cloths are more fun but when you have a newborn the messes are everywhere and you can never have enough of these.

ARV: $130

Everyone seems to forget about the parents at showers.  If you want to go out of the box a bit, buy for the parents and not the baby.  

• Mom can use a cute hospital gown to make her labor fashionable and more comfy.
• Dad can get some cool Daddy Scrubs.  
• Pack a bag for the mom to take to the hospital with toiletries, candy, snacks, and reading material so she doesn't have to remember to get this stuff herself.  Someone did get this for me and I used it up till our first vacation together.  

What is your go to baby shower gift?

What makes your baby happy?

Disclosure: I am a Nuby Mommy Blogger. I receive Nuby products in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions are 100% my own.

What is that one thing that you know that you can do that will always make your baby smile?  Mine is totally random and has worked since birth.  I sing tunes from The Little Mermaid to him.  Boys can like The Little Mermaid right?  For bed, I always up for with a nice rendition of Part of this World.

When we are having fun, though, Under the Sea is the ideal choice.  This must have been my favorite movie as a child because I know every word to every song.

What does this have to do with the teether that I am reviewing...well nothing, but who doesn't love some Little Mermaid? Actually it does have something to do with it, this brand new teether from Nuby is the Under the Sea Teether.   This fun little guy has yet to hit stores but I am going to have you waiting to buy him.

How fun, right?!  It is bright, easy to hold and has lots of different textures for teething.  My guys favorite is the tags...actually he has an obession with all things tags, string or similar so I knew he would love this the moment I received it in the mail. 

This little guy is perfect for out 3+ monthers and great for little baby hands.  I would say it is unique to other teethers because, look at your stash, do you have an octopus teether yet?  I didn't think so.  Of course, as with all Nuby teethers, it is BPA free because only the best for Nugget.  So what do you think?  Are you excited about the Under the Sea Teether?

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Disclosure: I am a Nuby Mommy Blogger. I receive Nuby products in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions are 100% my own.

How do I have a 6 month old?

Nugget weighs: 18 pounds!

Nugget is wearing: 12 month clothes still, and I bet we will be going to 18 month onesies soon.

Nugget's First's this month:  Nugget had a ton of first's this month!

First Eid!

Learned to Sit!

First Swing Ride!

First Solid!

Nugget's Favorite Thing: 

This month was not filled with nearly as many adventures as last month.  At the beginning of the month Nugget was Dufda's date to my good friend, Bri's wedding.  He hated the clapping so we had to exit early.

He had a lot of picnics outside with his daddy.  His favorite is when his huge white lion accompanies him.

Nugget loves chowing down on food, too!  He has had hummus, yogurt, bananas, carrots, pears, roast, corn, broccoli and cheese casserole, and sweet potatoes!
All in all it was a pretty low key month.  Nugget is looking forward to trying five star cuisine with mommy and daddy, dressing up as something really scary for Halloween and cashing in on Christmas presents from his grandparents!

As always, Nugget stopped by the studio to have some glamour shots taken.

WubbaNub Review and Giveaway!

Disclosure:  I was provided with this product in exchange for a review.  The opinions are 100% my own.

I was one of THOSE mothers.  I wasn't going to give my child a pacifier...no, not me.  Dufda always would say that he couldn't wait for the moment that he gave his baby a pacifier.  I never had this yearning.  Two days after birth I realized that I needed a pacifier in my life since my baby was using me as his.  We had a couple of pacis on hand that we had picked up at the store prior to bringing Nugget home.  They worked o.k but my eager sucker kept flying them across the room, down the hall, I am sure he could have propelled that thing straight out the window while I  was driving down the road.  Pacifiers grew wings when inserted into my babies mouth.  With the wings they also had this magical ability to be flown places that were a point of no return.  Where did all the pacifiers go?  At this rate I would have to buy stock in pacis to keep the family sane.

Then we found The Wub.  The what?  The Wub!  Once you go Wub, you never go back.  I remember showing Dufda the WubbaNub on Amazon and him not really getting the concept.  It took a couple of days but in one of my late night Amazon Prime ordering fest (You know you do it too), The Wub made it into the cart.  Nugget's first Wub was Mr. Froggy.  He was life changing.  Nugget could not fling Mr. Froggy across the house, he couldn't even propel him out of his mouth.  Mr. Froggy became very well known in our house.  Before we go anywhere we need to track down Mr. Froggy and keep her whereabouts known at all times of the trip.  Anytime Nugget is crying...it is usually because he misses Mr. Froggy.  To illustrate just how much we love The Wub I thought I would put together the likings of a children book titled:

The Adventures of Mr. Froggy and Nugget

The secret to this magical paci is the weight behind the pacifer keeps it in the babies mouth longer.  It is also a great lovely.  Sometimes I find Nugget chomping on Mr. Froggy's bum and I think it is really funny.  One of the other benefits:  How many of you have chased a bouncing paci through the mall or down the street?  You no longer have to do that with The Wub.  It falls and stays put!  When Mr. Froggy gets dirty, I just pop him in the wash and let him air dry and we are good to go.

Do you think you need some Wub in your life?  Go check out their website to see all the different WubbaNub friends you can get!  Leave a comment below with which one is your favorite.  You can also "Like" them on Facebook to stay up to date on all the WubbaNub news!  

If you haven't heard...My Jordanian Nugget is turning 1 this week!  I have paired with Wubbanub to get this must have baby item in your house.  My complete list of must haves and a chance to win some is right here!

Disclosure:  I was provided with this product in exchange for a review.  The opinions are 100% my own.

I am 5 months old!

Outfit is the making of Haddon & Co.  Head over to Facebook and like their page because their stuff is seriously adorable!

Yep, freaking adorable!

Nugget weighs: about 17lbs...bathroom scale, so not exact

Nugget is wearing:  He still fits in his 12 month clothes

Nugget's Firsts this month:  Nuggie found his feet and that is all in terms of milestones, but I am pretty tired so I could be forgetting some

Nugget's Adventures:
This month was a month of sight seeing for Nugs.  We took an impromptu trip to Mill Creek Botanical Gardens and looked at all the flowers.  Nugget loved all the colors and water fountains.

We also took a short little hike with Nugget's cousin through the Laurel Highlands and came to this wonderful water fountain.  Nugget loved it because it sounded just like his sleep sheep.

We got Nugget's five month pictures taken and everyone loves them!  Here are some of the highlights:

My husband stays at home, Don't feel bad for me

I hired Nugget so he could earn his keep : )

There were a couple of things that Dufda and I knew from the moment we got married.  We would have children.  One of us would stay home with that child.

Growing up, Dufda and I both had a stay at home parent so for me there was no other option.  Specially with day care cost like they are, it just wouldn't be worth it for both of us to work.  When the time came around to deciding who would work, I won...err loss...that one.  I would be taking a maternity leave and going back while Dufda cares for the new baby.  

Maternity leave...I remember people told me it wasn't a vacation.  I tend to highly disagree.  I feel like I never stopped working while I was in college and after I had a really demanding job.  Vacations to actual places are very stressful for me so I always feel like I need a vacation after the actual vacation.  Staying home for three months... I think this was in my dreams a couple of times.  Actually, this was my dream.  From a very young age I wanted to be a mom.  I wanted children early, I wanted to tend house all day and wear an apron while I cook dinner, I wanted to have a baby on my hip, standing on the porch waiting for my husband to come home.  I wanted to be a full time stay home wife.  So maybe I romanticized it, but I got to live out this dream for three months.  I met with other moms, we walked the mall, I visited Target far to much, and I rarely cleaned.  I rarely cleaned because I wasn't a stay at home mom and I was not going to waste the precious days of my babies life cleaning when I knew that I would going back to work very soon.

May 27th, 2013 was the day.  I had to go interact with the real world.  My day was no longer dictated by eat, play, sleep.  I was wearing real clothes, I may have even had make up on.  I was also facing all the people that I hadn't seen in 3 months.  Delivery men, mail lady, my employees.  They are all curious.  They all asked who was taking care of Nugget.  Me, feeling like we have accomplished something, proudly told them that my husband was a stay at home dad.  I thought their reaction would be that of...you know, I guess I never thought about how they should react, but I can tell you how they did react.  I was told by several people over the two months since I returned to work that our arrangement will cause one of the following:

• My children will resent me.
• They will like their daddy more
• Your husband won't be as good at that job as you are
• It will take him 7 years to finally get a hold of things
• Your children will wonder where you are are
• Breastfeeding doesn't last much longer after you start work

This was shocking.  I bet I wouldn't hear these things if I put my child in daycare.  So here it goes.  My husband stays at home.  Don't for one second feel bad for me.  Dufda's job is far harder than mine and I know because I did it for three months.  When people even mention that staying at home isn't work, they most likely have never stayed home with a child.  It is tiring, exhausting work.  There are days that I feel guilty eating my lunch by myself, because I know that Dufda may not have even been able to eat all.  I don't know if he really thought that he would be the main caregiver but he has stepped up to the plate.  I also know that if we ever do get to switch, I won't have an ungrateful husband who thinks I do nothing all day because he has walked for some time in those shoes.

 Also, when I tell you that he stays home, please do not try to analyze me financial situation and make some statement about how "I must make the big bucks".  People in our culture are hardwired to believe that the woman must stay home and people with one income must be rich.  This isn't true.  There is value to being raised by a parent.  That value was figured in when we made our decision.  Not to mention that this is just rude to ask and so many people bring it up.

Husbands stay home now more than they ever did.  We need to stop stereotyping and making it seems that as a stay at home parent you are any less of a person.  I feel like this is so far away...especially in the U.S where women are still making less than men and thought of as the person who cares for the babies.

Four Month Update!

Nugget Weighs: 15.8 lbs

He is :28 inches tall...apparently this is taller than all babies by the charts, putting him at 100%.  You can't be taller than all babies....there has to be that one even more freakishly tall baby.

Nugget wears:  Get this!  I just had to go buy 12 month onesies!!  I know that a little of it has to do with his fluffy cloth butt, but still...12 months!!

Nugget's Firsts:  This month was a big month for Nugget!  He slept through the night, but that was just a tease.  Nugs has found his thumb, his feet and learned to grab for things.  He also loves to blow bubbles!  At the end of the month he rolled from tummy to back for the first time!

Nugget's Adventure's this Month:  
Nugget was a guest at two weddings this month.  He was stunning in a faux tuxedo onesie and escorted by his bff...Mr. Froggy.  

Nugget has recently decided that he would like to be more hipster and less Carter's baby, so we took him to explore the Pittsburgh Art's Festival.  He met plenty of other stylin' babies and plans to do work with them when they enter preschool.

Since the weather has finally warmed up to a nice balmy 90 degrees here in Pittsburgh, Nugget has taken him first leap into the pool.  He is no Michael Phelps...yet.  Nugget plans to enroll in swim classes with his friends to improve his skills and one day win Olympic Gold.

Nugget attended his first Pittsburgh Baby conference where very important matters were discussed.  They have established hierarchy within the group based on who has the most hair. Jad has lost the top ranking seed to his friend Noah, but still has time to catch up.   Nugget met lots of new babies at the conference and plans to have them all over for milk and...more milk ( I hear someone is sneaking in the pureed avocado and peas).   There was even a meeting of the nations when the Jad, the sole Jordanian at the conference signed a peace treaty with Declan, the only Asian, agreeing to share cookies when there parents let them start solids, strategy to get solids sooner will be discussed at the next meeting. The gathering was cut short when someone had a poopsplosion ....Jad turned to Kellan and said, "Man, if he was in cloth we would never have these issues...parents."