Crazy In Love

UPPAbaby Vista stroller I am in love already.  Actually, I fell in love with this stroller long before I had a baby but all my expectations of it have been met and exceeded thus far.  We purchased the adapter for our Graco Snugride32 and love using the stroller when we go out on errands to cart the car seat around for us (because it never sits right on the shopping cart). We used the bassinet attachment many, many times around the house — if we had the baby any time but winter, we’d have used it many more times out for walks but it was just too cold — for him to snooze but be nearby (and we could just roll him wherever we were going.  We’ve been using the stroller for walks around the neighborhood and for John to join us in the yard while we get work done.  He really seems to love it! The Vista is labeled as the “SUV of strollers” and it really is!  The shock absorption alone is fantastic — we can be bouncing over gravel and uneven roads and sleeping John barely moves or stirs because the stroller is taking the bumps, not the baby.  I love it!  Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this stroller and I will wholeheartedly say that in my experience so far, it is worth every penny.

Microwave Sterilizer We have used this at least every-other day — sometimes, multiple times in one day — since John was born and it was used many times before he arrived to get everything clean and ready too.  Just put in some water, fill the unit with bottles, pacifiers, breast milk storage bottles, pump parts, etc., pop it in the microwave and in just minutes everything is perfectly sterilized.  Easy peasy.

JJ Cole Bundleme We had the “original” initially which was AWESOME for winter here in IL and it was super soft for him to sleep on top of those nights that he just wouldn’t fall asleep on his back or when he’s especially spit-up-y.  We are using the “lite” version now for spring and love it all the same.  It makes a nice cover when it’s windy and chilly but can easily be folded up under his legs when it’s nice and warm.

Homedics Sound Spa Lullaby I learned about this item that is commonly referred to as the “baby crack machine” because it almost instantly will calm and soothe your crabby, fussy baby.  We had used the white noise option on John’s swing in his room so many times already that the battery ran out and this machine is conveniently powered by a wall outlet.  I think in 2 weeks it has already paid for itself in our savings on D-cell batteries.  Not only are the white noise sounds and lullabies very soothing but there is also a tiny projector that puts fun pictures on the wall or ceiling.  John could care less about the images at this point but it gives off the perfect amount of light to change a diaper and pop a bottle in the warmer at night without risking waking the baby all the way by turning on the room lights.  Oh, and it is incredibly soothing for parents too.  Everyone is relaxed = win!

Medela Freestyle Worth every penny.  Seriously.  When my milk didn’t come in fast enough for my big baby and his hunger proved to be too intense for the time it took for let-down to occur, this machine made it possible for me to pump quickly so I could get back to spending quality time with John.  The hands free pumping is really cool, if you don’t mind walking around the house with pumps strapped to your chest.  I managed to get some light housework — dishes, vacuuming, straightening up — done while pumping too.  Hello, multi-tasking!  Easy to use and works efficiently.  I definitely recommend this pump.