9 Baby Essentials

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Now that Elise is coming up on a year, I feel like I have somewhat of a grasp on what we used almost everyday in her infant days.  These are in no way “necessities” but they made and still make babyhood a whole lot easier on us.  So here is my list of 9 things that are great for the first year of life!

1.  Johnny Jump:  When Elise was a newborn, I would have to bounce her on a yoga ball to calm her down and put her down for naps (nothing else worked).  I knew when she was old enough she would love jumping and bouncing.  And I was right!  I absolutely loved this thing and so did Elise.  This allowed me to cook dinner, clean up the house, and have a few moments to rest my arms. 

2.  4Moms Baby Bathtub:  This tub makes bathing a baby a breeze!  The temp indicator is a great feature because our faucet likes to change temperatures on us.  She still takes baths in this and will continue until she no longer fits in it.

3.  OXO Tot Sprout chair: I love the look of this chair and it goes with our house décor.  The other great feature of this is the one-handed tray release.  It is nice and sturdy and wipes up very easily!

4.  Ergo Carrier: The Ergo made shopping a breeze.  At first, I was a little hesitant because it was so darn bulky but as soon as I learned how to put it on, I never left the house without it.  We even had some dog walks with this… I’m sure Chloe and Gracie even apprecialted this carrier.  In fact, when I put it on the dogs still get excited like we are going for a walk.  Lately, I have been putting her on my back and doing yard work and vacuuming (Elise hates, hates the vacuum if no one is holding her.)

5.  California Baby Bath and Lotion:  About a year before Elise was conceived, Mike and I got rid of all parabens, sulfates, dyes, phalates, and animal tested products.  I actually did a lot of research and testing of baby washes and lotions while I was pregnant.  This one wins hands down!  It’s gunk-free and has a perfect baby lavender scent to it. 

6.  Dohm Sound Machine: Hands down, the best sound machine out there.  Mike and I got this before Elise was born and we can’t sleep without it.  As soon as she was born, we invested in another one. 

7.  Little Castle Glider: My mom ordered this for me while I was pregnant.  It was a great gift!  It is a bit pricey but it is so comfy!  And a comfy chair is a necessity when learning how to nurse an infant.  This also will be a good addition to living room furniture once the breastfeeding part of my life is complete.

8.  Hape Galloping Zebras Baby Walker: We just got this walker for Elise and she loves it!  Shes is still a little bit unsturdy and needs one of us behind her but it definetly will help her learn how to walk a lot quicker! I am also a fan of wooden toys.  I read that toys that are not interactive develops a baby’s imagination much quicker and better than interactive and loud toys. Plus, the zebras are just so darn cute!

9.  Summer Video Baby Monitor: Even though Elise does not sleep in her room at night, this is still awesome for her naps.  I love being able to see her and knowing she is ok so I can go about my day.

Garden Update #2

Well there should have been at least another update before this one but I’ll just have to deal with it.

Our plants took off but only after replanting after a Mother’s Day snow storm.  We replanted about after the snow storm and to our demise we got quarter sized hail which gave us some chopped salad and some tomato branches.  To our surprise, everything pulled through and is going strong!

After the Mother's Day storm... waa waa

After the second planting hail storm

Last year, we got lucky if we grew a semi-sweet tomato… this year is a WOW year!  I’m so surprised at what a little peat moss and a small bag of compost will do!  

About 2 weeks ago

Today... Notice the height of the lettuces and the start of the 2nd crop of Arugula.

My new favorite thing this year… Lettuce!  Arugula especially. I planted a second crop a week ago and it is just starting to emerge. 

This is the first year that we had a great crop of all types of lettuce and kale.  Salads and smoothies galore!

One harvest of kale

We have not harvested anything from the pepper or tomato plants yet but they are producing and growing a lot.  Poblanos, anaheims, and Fresno peppers are producing so many peppers and I can’t wait to pick and make some delicious meals with them!

I cannot wait to make tomatillo salsa!  Who knew a tomatillo plant got so huge so quickly!

We have about 10 peaches that survived and hopefully they are as amazing as the first year we planted the tree.  

Our raspberries are going strong per usual!  I’m thinking we should put a sign out front for “pick-your-own” raspberries and charge about $5 for a pound!  But I think we will keep them to ourselves! I can’t wait for Elise to taste a fresh raspberry!

We all get so excited (Elise and the pups included) to go outside in the morning and look at what our garden did in one day! 

Now all we need is a baby goat!

Source

Happy Gardening!

Elise is 9 eh.. 9.5 Months Old

WOW!  I am late with this update!

Elise,

You are now just over 9 ½ months old going on 3! Your personality is BIG!  You know what you want and you won’t stop until you get it.

This month you got your two bottom teeth and you are working on your top left one.  You love showing them off, too!  You even realized that I have a full set of them and giggle when you touch them.  Hopefully, the teeth explain your sleep…

One reason why this update is so late is because you have been keeping mommy up a lot at night.  Your naps are also suffering.  So, whenever I have a moment to myself, I am either working on a project or catching up on sleep.  There are nights that you wake once, you eat and you go right back to sleep.  Others include up to 6 wakings with little that will console you.  Last night was a rough night but we did have a big day and you ate something new.  Beside last night, I THINK it is slowly getting better. 

On another front, you are not quite crawling… but oh soooo close!  You are rolling everywhere though and there are times I put you in a spot walk away and return a few minutes later and you aren’t there anymore!  Granted, you are only 5 or 6 feet away from where I left you but it still makes my heart drop a bit.  You’re really good at doing the yoga position “pigeon”.  For the third month in a row… I am guessing you will be crawling by Daddy’s birthday. 

Pigeon pose

You love, love, love to eat!  Some of your favorites include: Blueberries, peas, mushrooms, pasta, green smoothies, and your #1 favorite is Chicken Marsala.  You love flavor and veggies.  My dream come true!  Hopefully it lasts into toddlerhood. 

Speaking of toddlerhood, I can see that phase creeping up on us.  You have the biggest personality.  You do this face when you want something (squinting eyes, smiling really big, and waving your arms everywhere)… this happens especially with food or a toy that you love.  You are also starting to throw little tantrums…

You tell that bird!

    

                           

  

You have started forming relationships with some of your favorite toys.  Your bathtoys are some of your favorite things to “talk” to about how your day went.  You giggle, wave your arms about, and your eyes light up when I bring them out during your bath.  You also talk to a counting giraffe and kiss all of your stuffed animals.  

You have started giving kisses, clapping, waving, and (what I believe is one of your first words) saying “mama” (but only when you’re crying) and “dada”. 

This last month you have become your own little person!  You have your own wants and preferences.  You are definitely doing better with strangers especially if they are women.  You also love other kids!

Your first "selfie"

I cannot believe you are only 2.5 months away from your 1^st birthday!  You and I are going to have to start planning the big event, very soon!

I love you, goose!  Thank you for making me your mommy!

First 4th of July... you just wanted to eat watermelon

You are my angel, my darling, my star!

Love,

mommy