My Top New-Mom Favorites

Ok, so I've been at this mom gig for almost three months now and I can say with confidence that there are a few things we can't live without.

Beluga Baby wrap: I'm not sure who liked this one more, Athena or me. This super soft bamboo baby carrier wrap goes on easy and comes in some really gender-neutral colors which means it's perfect for Andrew or me to wear. I think my favorite part though is that there are really easy tutorials on the Beluga Baby site on how and when to use different wrap styles. Now that I've been using it, it's so easy to cozy Athena right up on my chest so she can hang out with me all day long. She loves the cuddles just as much as I do.

Trifecta of baby sleep magic: Our baby, thus far, sleeps well. And pretty much has since day one. I consider us SUPER lucky and I have my fingers crossed as well as anything else I can cross that this good thing lasts as long as it can! Maybe it's just her or maybe it's the sweet combination of these three things that we use together exclusively at night so she gets the hint that it's nighttime.

1. Zen Swaddle: This unique swaddler was a gift from my mom. It's one of those random items that pop up on my Facebook feed as an ad that I probably would have never tried if it wasn't gifted to me, but boy am I glad it was. It has little weighted sacks on the chest flap as well as the sides that are supposed to mimic human touch. I'm guessing Athena digs this because she is out cold within minutes of putting this on. My favorite part is that this sucker has some SERIOUS velcro and it's the only swaddler she couldn't wiggle her arms out of.

2. DockATot: A sweet little baby dock where you can put the baby down and know they are safe. Athena loved to sleep in hers and up until recently, slept in it every night! She is a tall little lady so she's getting a bit too long for it now but we still take it with us on quick weekends away. Click here to get a 10% off coupon! You're welcome!

 

3. White Noise Machine: This little device drowns out everything around Athena's little head which helps a ton because her nursery is close to the washer and dryer. With this going we can do whatever we want and she stays in her blissful little sleep bubble and isn't distracted! We also take this with us on trips and it fits in the DocATot zipper carrying bag which we use as her all-in-one suitcase! It fits her bed, then in the hollow part we toss her clothes, blanket and white noise machine and we're good to go!

Carters fleece footie pjs: Because any pajamas without a zipper and covered feet is for suckers! Who wants to be snapping in the middle of the night or searching for tiny baby socks that get kicked off instantly? Not me. Cozy fleece + zip-up one piece + footies = easy nights!

Athena's sleeper // She's More Bow

Boon Grass Drying Rack: It's like the one thing that is a dead giveaway that our house has a baby in it. It's not the prettiest thing and doesn't really match our decor but it does easily dry all the silly bottle pieces and tiny pump parts that I'd probably lose in a minute if it weren't for this thing.

Copper Pearl Bandana Bibs: Athena is a drooler and a super sloppy eater so these little bibs are cute, soft and absorbent. As an added bonus she looks like a little bandit in them and when they turn around she looks like a baby super hero in a cape. What's not to love there?

Armitron digital watch: In the early days when I didn't know what time or day it was and certainly didn't know how long I had been nursing Athena, I relied on this little Armitron digital watch to help me remember what the heck was going on at what times of day. Phones are great for time but the thing that made this better is that it was attached to my body. I could see it while my arms were in use.

Lactation Link: Breastfeeding, like most things you've never done before, is hard. And it's not just a one-and-done kind of thing. It keeps evolving 'til you get into a good groove and start to figure out what's ok and what feels right for you and the baby. I wrote a post back here on how awesome they are and how helpful they were in those first few weeks.

Life Update

Jacket // Watch c/o Armitron // Hightops (old from Old Navy but similar here) // White ruffle top // Leggings from The Red Closet Shop

A couple of things...

1. How lucky am I that I get to live in a place that looks like this, on a random spot on the side of the road! I really love living in Utah in the winter. The snow and the mountains are magical.

2. This outfit above is about as fancy as I'm getting these days. There are a lot of leggings going on, and these peep knee ones are at the top of my list and a steal for under $20! This ruffle tee has been my go-to for hiding my post-partum belly so I bought it in two colors. This digital Armitron watch has been a savior for late-night feedings too. It lights up all middle-school style, which is super helpful when I stumble around in the dark. Also it can be worn in the shower, because who has time to take off their watch with a newborn around?

3. Hi! I'm sorry to have been so MIA, but I'm really just enjoying spending time with my girl! So much so that I'm barely even getting dressed in proper clothes, much less take pictures, much less post. I do insist on having my hair blown out. Even if it is dirty for a few days, it's the one thing that makes me feel like a human being when I look in the mirror so I schedule time to blow out my hair after a shower every few days. You have to do some things to make you feel like yourself after having a baby, and that is my one thing.

Ok, so, updates on life...

Andrew and I are insane! We decided that at a time when we are stressed and sleep deprived with a new baby... that the best idea was to also start a Whole 30! If you have ever done one before you know the cooking load is labor-intensive and the food withdrawals are pretty insane. Like having crazy food dreams. It even has a timeline on how strange things are going to get over the 30 days. Quite honestly, now that we are over a week into it, I have to say it feels awesome! For the last 11 months, I was simply not eating like myself. During pregnancy, my usual favorites of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins all made me mega nauseous. And after having the baby, it became about finding foods that I can eat with one hand. There was a really weird puffy Cheeto phase that I'd rather not talk about. So we are deep in this and even though it sounds insane to do this under the current life circumstances, I actually think it's kind of easier because I just eat what we have pre-made in big batches and forget about it. I don't have time to crave things. 

Enough about me, you didn't come here to hear about me, you want to know about baby Athena, right? Well, even though I talked a lot of smack about her demon-baby ways when she was in the womb (because that's how she ACTED in there), she is now just the sweetest most well-behaved angel baby we could have asked for. She was a champ on the whole trip to Chicago and all the long car rides to Wisconsin. She was cool with meeting a million new people and being cuddled to within an inch of her life by all her loving aunties. She's just such a good baby. She even sleeps like a champ too. This past week being home with her while Andrew is back at work has been interesting learning all her little ways and cues. She really only cries when she wants something, like food or a new diaper, and the situation is pretty easily remedied. 

Even though the days can be stressful sometimes, I'm so lucky to be able to take this time off and be with her and watch her grow this year. It really is a gift and I'm glad I worked 11 years teaching before this to truly appreciate the opportunity.

That being said, we still wouldn't mind some extra sleep! Babysitters anyone?