Most Loved Baby Items: Part B

So I have continued on my researching spree (surprisingly I have found time for it in between working, school work, and freelance writing jobs) and found more great items for you guys. I can't believe how pricey some of these items are! There seems to me to be this sort of trend out there where moms feel they need to buy the most expensive, European version of everything. I think the jury is still out on whether or not the Europeans actually make better, safer baby items, but at least they're trendy.
Without further 'ado, enjoy!

Best Infant Car Seat:

Peg Perego Primo Viaggo SIP 30/30



I knew the Italians made great cars, but apparently they make great car seats too! This car seat has extra wide side-impact protection and extra cushion for baby around his head and body. You can buy a stroller separately that this car seat easily snaps onto. It has a lifetime warranty for parts (can't beat that).

Best Convertible Car Seat:

Britax Roundabout 50 Classic



This is the least expensive Britax car seat out there, but was listed in Parenting.com's "Best car seats under $200." This car seat gives you all the loved and desired Britax features, but without the cost! It fits babies and toddlers from 5 to 100 lbs. Some users said that it is a bit bulky and hard for people with small cars, but it is easy to install and has a great feature that disables any straps from twisting.

Best Baby Bouncer:

Baby Einstein Musical Motion Bouncer



I am telling you, people can't live without the Baby Einstein Jumperoo! It is recommended for babies age 4 months and up and really helps them develop strength and motor skills. One mom said that her baby plays so hard in this thing that she will fall asleep in it! This jumper is also collapsible so you can transport it or move it from room to room.

Best Stroller:

UppaBaby Vista



This is a European style stroller with a European style price tag! Moms can't stop raving about how easy to use and lightweight this stroller is, but unfortunately I don't think I am convinced. At $649.99, it's a bit too steep for my pocketbook. This stroller is great for walking, jogging, and pulling out of the car and putting together with one hand (yes, it's THAT easy to use). You can sometimes find it for sale on certain websites for around $500.00.

Enjoy!

50 Rules for Dads with Daughters

OK, I know I promised the second half of the Most Loved Baby Items list today, But I just cannot help but post this.

This is probably one of the most amazing things I have stumbled across on the internet. It brought a tear to my eye.

We aren't sure on the gender of our child yet, but I just have to share this with you all! Enjoy!!

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Here is the original post. I can't get all of his adorable pictures on here, so I hope you can still read the whole list without visual stimulation. Enjoy and apply!
http://lifetoheryears.com/50rules

Most Loved Baby Items: Part A

So I have been thinking lately that in order to make this blog uber interesting, I should make a couple posts that are applicable to more people than just myself. I know I have a rather scanty following, but I thought I would share some of the research I have been doing lately.
I have been thinking a lot recently about the baby items we will eventually need to purchase. It's been rather scary, because I have no idea which model of each item to get. What stroller is the easiest to use? Which infant carrier is the most lightweight? Is one bottle better than the next? I decided to do some research and pulled together a couple resources. This blog post will feature the results and hopefully be helpful for those of you who are expecting as well. This information was taken from consumer reviews online, American Baby Magazine, real life reviews from my real life friends,and of course all the message boards I have been scouring for advice.
This post will feature the smaller baby items (the big guys are coming next)! So, enjoy!

Best Bottle:

Born Free Baby Bottles

These bottles are BPA free, and are said to help prevent colic with their revolutionary venting system. Hardly any air gets in with the milk, making for a less gassy baby. These bottles also come with different "stages" of nipples for different age babies.

Best Soother:

I don't really know exactly what these ones are called, but I have heard everywhere that the best pacifiers are the ones given to the baby in the hospital. I have talked to lots of people who said those were the only soothers that worked for their little one. Hey, if it's free, it's for me!

Best Swaddler:

Aiden and Anais Muslin Swaddling Blankets



These blankets have won EVERYONE'S vote across the board. The blankets are light weight and great for summer as they don't make the baby too hot. They are organic, come in great colors, and are just the perfect size and shape for wrapping your baby up nice and cozy. They're a bit spendy though at $39 for a pack of three.

Best Nursing Support:

The Boppy



I know a lot of moms choose not to even use the boppy, but for those who do, it's a lifesaver! The boppy helps make breastfeeding a little bit more comfortable by providing support for both momma and baby. They're inexpensive, and you can find really cute slipcovers for them to match the baby's room or your home decor. I remember when I was younger, my little brothers and sisters would use the boppy to help them learn to sit.

Best Diapers:

Tie Between Pampers Swaddlers and Kirkland Signature Brand from Costco

American Baby Magazine found that Pampers Swaddlers were the most-loved diapers by moms across the country. They are absorbent, comfortable for baby, and had the least amount of leaks. Moms had nothing but amazing things to say about them!



However, word of mouth around my neck of the woods is that Kirkland Signature diapers are just as good as any of the other expensive brands but are much cheaper. A close friend told me that these are the only diapers that did not give her little one diaper rash. Oh ya, and did I mention that they come in a box of 1,000,000?



That's all for now, folks. Stay tuned for my next post which will include the best strollers, car-seats, baby swings and more!

It's Almost Halloweenie!

Hey ghouls and goblins, it's almost Halloween! I just can't believe how fast time goes by...it seems like just a couple months ago I was donning this number for a killer costume party:

Quite the costume, right?
I don't know if we will be going to any sweet parties this year, we may just cozy up at home and pass out candy to the kiddos.
What are your plans for Halloween? Any costume ideas?

First Baby Item

I thought I should put down in the virtual history books that my MOM and DAD were the first people to buy a baby item for us (aka our baby). After one of our ultrasounds a couple weeks ago, we came home to a neatly wrapped package on our doorstep. Of course, I tore into it and found these two adorable little numbers waiting for me:

These things are so stinking cute and just melted my heart when I saw them. If we have a girl, I am sure she could wear the blue one, but I don't think we could put a little boy in the pink onesie (sorry PLU, no gender-bending for this family).

Since then, we have gotten an adorable baby book from Jacob's mom that I have already started filling out, a free bouncie seat from Dara (Thanks Dara!) and a changing pad.
Can't wait to find out the sex in a month or so and start building up our baby supplies!

Nursery Dreams and Baby Things

Even before Jacob and I found out we were pregnant I always was on the lookout for cute baby nursery ideas. I have become mildly obsessed with decorating (when I can afford it) and taking old, vintage pieces and either a) repurposing them or b) making them look completely different. I have done this with a couple things around our house and hope to use those same creative skills in the new baby room!
This is our inspiration picture for the nursery. The wall color and black and white accents will stay the same regardless of the baby's gender, and the pink accents in the picture will just be changed to yellow if it is a boy. Feast your eyes, my friends!






I have already bought the paint and Jacob has tested it out on the walls. So far, it looks great! I am hoping to add a vintage rocking chair and to refinish a vintage dresser (as shown in the picture) to add to the room as well. I can't wait to get cracking on this project!

Here are a couple more inspiration pictures:



I love the mismatched crib bedding in this picture. I am so not a fan of the matchy matchy nurseries... I think the bedding we choose will look something like this. I die for the homemade flag garland in the picture as well!



Here is the same wall color, but with yellow accents instead.



Did I mention that a Jenny Lind style crib like this one is absolutely ESSENTIAL for our baby room? I love that this one is painted....so cute and vintage!

Hope you all enjoyed our inspiration photos! Can't wait to post all the progress we have made in the nursery!

Baby Sipes

I made a post previously about how amazing my last ultrasound was. Although this picture does not do him/her justice in the slightest, I will at least post it so you can see the progress baby Sipes has made. This picture is very blurry, so you can't see the detailed arms, legs, and movement that I saw in the ultrasound.
Here's the little gummy bear...


10 weeks.

And We Have a Bump, Folks!

Ahhhhh, this moment is finally here! The moment I have been dreading, but secretly looking forward to in some bizarre corner of my brain. I am starting to slow, slightly.

It is enough that Hubby and I can both tell, but not enough that people would start coming up to me and rubbing my belly like Buddha (which I think I am okay with).

Here is a picture (especially for all my girlfriends spread around the country who are dying to see this, and of course my sister in London). 10 weeks 3 days.



I know that I still have a TON of growing to go, but it feels oddly GOOD to see my body changing and making room for the little one growing inside of me. As of now, I have gained 4 pounds :)

Happy Wife, Happy Life

I can't even describe how lucky I feel to be having a baby with my husband, of all the men out there. I know that may sound silly, because who else would I rather have a child with than my husband? What I mean, is that I simply to not know another man who is more amazing than my husband. He has made this entire process so easy and so stress-free.

Jacob and I are very different from each other. For those of you who know us well, you can attest to that fact. :) Jacob is clean, organized, driven, and very detail oriented. I prefer to call myself "free spirited." For the past couple weeks, Jacob has been working hard at getting our home organized; getting rid of old stuff, testing out paint colors, and making room for baby. These are all probably things that I would leave to the last minute, but Jacob has encouraged me to get my life and my things organized BEFORE we start bringing baby stuff into our home. Man, he is so helpful and SO RIGHT!

We spent yesterday evening clearing the office of old wedding decorations, my wedding dress, and my high school prom gowns (I know I am not the only one who keeps those). We now have a much more organized space for baby belongings.

Not only has he helped me become a bit more "clean," but he is all around amazing in so many other areas. May I just share with you?
-Everytime he gets in my car, he cleans it out for me.
-He brings me flowers when he comes home from work--regularly.
-He ALWAYS makes me breakfast when we have mornings off together.

WHAT A CATCH!

Thanks for letting me boast about my amazing life partner. I am so lucky, and I can't wait to see him as a father. He is going to be incredible!

Dancing Gummy Bear

Today was an amazing day. It brought me a surprise. I love surprises.
I went to the doctor for a 10 week check-up, and was told I would only get weighed and measured, give a urine sample, and then get my vitals taken and listen to the baby's heartbeat. I was NOT expecting an ultrasound. Lo and behold, the sonographer takes me into the ultrasound room at the beginning of the appointment, and I got to get a sneak peak of our little dancing gummy bear. I could not believe the movement that was going on inside of my tummy!! It brought tears to my eyes to see arms and legs kicking all over the place and hands opening and closing. What a joy!

Up until this point, it has been hard for me to feel attached to the life growing inside of me. I mean, I have always been happy and proud, but it was hard to feel bonded to what looked like just a little blob. I felt the morning sickness and the bloating, but that was about it. Now, I feel so much different that words cannot even describe my emotions. My baby has a head, a torso, legs, arms, hands and feet! And he or she is moving them all around like crazy!

I feel so honored to be the body that is carrying and growing this child of ours. Now, I feel as though I am ready and willing to go through whatever may need to happen, because a BEAUTIFUL LIFE is going to come from it!

I am a happy Ewok Momma today. :)

10 Weeks and it Feels so Good!

Wow, I simply cannot believe I am already so close to the 2nd trimester. It is insane how quickly time can pass by. Believe it or not, I have not felt nauseated in the past couple days, praise Jesus! I went through a good two weeks of horror... and now I feel like a whole new person! I certainly don't want to jinx anything, but I feel great, as of now. In fact, I went to the gym today for the first time in four weeks. With my nausea and exhaustion, I just wasn't able to go. However, today after 30 minutes on the elliptical and 10 on the treadmill, I felt wonderful!

Tomorrow is my first doctor's appointment without an ultrasound. I am not even sure what they are going to do...so I feel a bit apprehensive. With all of the health issues I have had going on this past year, the last thing I want to do is put my feet in some stirrups again. I sure hope they don't ask me to! It is also the first appointment Jacob won't be attending. Since there is no ultrasound, there really isn't much for him to see.

I am already having trouble fitting into my jeans and work pants. I am not really sure how soon other "pregnants" start showing, but I have definitely developed quite the baby lump. I can already feel my uterus--it is almost the size of a grapefruit! I have been wearing a lot of leggings and dresses lately, but I am sure it won't be long until I need to buy some maternity jeans and maternity yoga pants.

We have arrived!

I can't even believe that this time in my life has actually come--my husband Jacob and will shortly be entering into the world of parenthood! It is scary and so exhilarating at the same time...I don't even know if I know how to raise a nice kid! Is there a manual somewhere titled "How to make sure your child does not become a brat?" If so, I think we could use it!

Anyway, we arrived here quickly. We were married a little over six months ago on April 2, 2011. We had an amazing wedding filled with family, friends, and a ton of great laughs. It was everything we hoped for; complete with cotton candy, my dream dress, and tons of bright colors.

Here are a couple pics from our special day:














And now, after a whirlwind of amazingness, we are expecting the newest addition to our family on May 15, 2012. Ready or not, here we come!

I know that Jacob is going to be such an incredible father, and his excitement about this whole thing has made me feel so at ease and so comfortable. We are only half way through the 8th week, so I know we still have a lot of adjusting to do. However, things are looking good! I have had crazy awful morning sickness, hardly able to keep down water the past couple of days. I also have had really bad cramps if I move around too much or too fast, so I have had to nix the gym sessions as of late.
Jacob started painting the nursery the other day (an AMAZING COLOR), so I will also have to start posting progress pictures too. SO MUCH TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL! I think I am going to love this whole blogging thing...Can't wait to keep you updated--ultra sound pictures are coming soon.

What the Ewok?

Okay, many of you may be thinking "why the heck did this chick call her blog Ewok Momma?" Well, let me reassure you that I do not hope my child will look like an Ewok, nor do I consider myself an Ewok. The title came from this video I was in during college.



Surprisingly enough, the silly movie became a hit with my family and friends, and still to this day the video gets brought up and shown to others. I know it really isn't the most awesome thing in the world, but I actually got paid for it, and spent the afternoon with Billy Dee Williams! This is my claim to fame!

Anyway, I know that wasn't much of an introduction, but it will have to do for now. Can't wait to start blogging for ya'll!

P.S. enjoy the video!