Happy Mother's Day: Blissful Baby Products

Photo Courtesy of
Jenny Beck Photography

Having just celebrated my first Mother's Day I'm using the word blissful. I know, I know. I've turned into one of those parents who actually enjoys the sound of the baby crying (he's healthy!) and I don't like bed time as I miss him when he sleeps (too corny, right?).

The first few weeks as documented are trying. You aren't sleeping, you've become a vessel for carrying milk which will only be thrown back up on you (if that's not animalistic...), your Queen Victoria was ripped apart and sewn back together, and through that you have to find the energy to love, care and entertain. But, amid it all, this parenting thing is by far the coolest thing we have ever done; however for sake of full disclosure I haven't taken a shower today ;)

As I have time during feedings to sit and think (dangerous), I thought about my mom asking us what is our must have product. Hard to narrow to one, but here is our Letterman's Top Ten. And let's be honest, these are all luxuries. Back in the day, all you needed was a boob and a scrap of animal skin to strap the baby to your back while you plowed the fields, yet today we would DIE without the diaper genie.

1. Okay... the Diaper Genie. Only because you.must.contain.the smell!

2. Mustela Bath Products - love these as they have been so gentle on Brecken's skin and helped with the shedding and dryness. No diaper rash yet or breakouts on the face!

3. Bloom Products - The Coco lounger & the Fresco highchair - the lounger is easy on the eyes with a wooden frame, but light enough to carry from room to room.  The highchair has been fantastic because it reclines and acts as a raised bassinet until he grows into the big boy high chair - love anything that sees itself through multiple ages.

4. Under the Nile - a line of organic cotton products. Great quality, eco friendly. We've used the bibs and cloth diapers. Always use one on the changing pad as those boy parts are like rocket launchers. (Story: I went to change the baby the other day and asked Taylor why the blinds were drawn... his answer: "Oh, Brecken peed on the window." Note to self - call housekeeper.)

5. Dwell Studio - great modern line of baby products, love their toys. These blocks are fun and aren't made of plastic! (trying to avoid)

6. Puj Tub - I die (as Rachel Zoe would say). Can be assembled one handed, so when your husband leaves you to go play league basketball the family doesn't suffer. Fits perfectly in any sink, pedestal or otherwise. It has a great drains as well so you can hang it flat and avoid hiding bacteria.

7. NoseFrida - a.k.a. The Snot Sucker. Gross concept I know, sounds like something Alicia Silverstone would do. This has pulled mucus that has been hiding in Brecken for 9 months. If you have kids prone to runny noses, congestion and ear infections, a must have.

8. Bugaboo Cameleon - if you talk to my husband, he'll tell you I was obsessed with finding the right stroller. I didn't want to have to keep replacing it - and I wouldn't mind it not looking like a dumpster when we pushed it around. We contemplated all styles, including the jogging stroller - but let's be honest, I cuss at people who jog.

9. Daily Candy for Kids - www.dailycandy.com. Turned onto it by a coworker. Go in and sign up - you can subscribe to the adult version (particular to a city) or the version for Kids. Lots of great deals and notes!

10. The Laundress Baby Detergent - again has been great on the skin. I would normally never purchase this as it's a bit pricey, but see point #9. Signed up for 50% off coupon and ordered a case :)

This list will inevitably change and grow, but we've had fun compiling so far. Our philosophy is less is more... There is a product for everything, but apply a titch of discernment and you'll come up with things that both you and the baby will love.

#1. Diaper Genie Elite - can be found anywhere! 

#2. Mustela Bath Products - you can find these pretty much
anywhere including Target or Babies R Us.

#3. Bloom Coco lounger in cherry. Also available in a
lighter finish.

#3. Bloom Fresco highchair. The seat cover has several
different colors - we chose white and orange.
 www.bloombaby.com

#4. Under the Nile - www.underthenile.com. 100% organic cottons.
Nothing fancy, but wonderful quality and great size.

#5. Dwell Studio Products - www.dwellstudio.com.
These soft blocks come apart and have noise makers in the middle -
and not the noise makers that will make you go batty.

#6. Puj Tub. Follow Steps 1-4, wash, rinse and repeat.
 www.pujbaby.com

#7. NoseFrida - can be found at any retailer that sells baby
products. An amazing gadget & promises to not suck their brains out.
Remember to buy extra foam filters.

#8. Bugaboo Cameleon in black with grey base.
The same frame converts from the bassinet you see to the infant seat that is displayed.
The canopy and base have a myriad of colors to choose from. Clips make it convertible to the Peg Perego, Graco, Maxi Cosi and some Chico car seats. www.bugaboo.com

#10. The Laundress Baby Detergent - www. thelaundress.com. Only takes  2 capfuls for HE washers.

The.Fresh.Equation.

My taste buds have changed since I got pregnant and since baby has arrived. I used to be a beer & hotdog kind of girl, and I could eat a full selection of macarons from Pistacia Vera (or Laduree when in Paris); but, for some reason those things don't appeal nor taste good when I force them down (let's be honest, I'm not really forcing them down).

I'm feeling the guilt of not eating healthy enough more now than when I was pregnant! We needed the nutrients when the bun was in the oven, but breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart and requires lots of goodies and nutrients - and I'm sure it will help with this little chub that's deciding to hang around my waist line.

Tonight I made a green smoothie and it was (as the youth say) delish! Packed in some good vitamins in 2 minutes or less.

I have this ideallyic image of Brecken running around in his Hunter wellies, digging in the dirt pulling out carrots and tomatoes for snacks! We currently live in an area that would make it difficult to have that burgeoning garden, so we found these great raised beds through Farmer D Organics (via Williams Sonoma, www.williams-sonoma\raisedbeds, $79-$149). Perhaps a Spring Project or a good one for next Spring when Brecken becomes a little more mobile. I will have to learn how not to kill all things green & living - perhaps one of the requirements of our prospective nanny should be "green thumb".

My good girlfriend Kristin Sanders, who recently went into business as a health & lifestyle coach, has a great website (www.thefreshequation.com). Like her page on Facebook and follow her for great tips & recipes - and if you are in the NY area, check her out!

Until then, be happy being Green!

Aunt Kiki's Green Smoothie:
1 C kale
1 C spinach
1/2 pear
1 frozen banana
OJ

Toss it in & blend! No need to follow measurements really. I bought some parsley
cucumbers, mango and other accoutrements today as alternatives!

Baby Update: 6 Weeks!

It's amazing we marked our 6th week as parents yesterday... and Brecken still appears to want to stick with us :)

Out of the gate, this adventure has been the hardest thing we have ever done. But, as Brecken continues to develop a personality and look back at us with those big eyes and a smile - it makes any part that makes this seem overwhelming just melt away. The moments lost of just sitting together for hours is time well spent. The early mornings when we are cuddled in bed together is like a perfect dream - probably because we are actually sleeping! Forget everything else that we aren't getting done. I made a long list of to-do's. The goal is to cross one off the list every day, and to take a shower - two things I never thought would seemingly be so difficult.

We've adjusted to operating off minimal sleep! We were walking zombies there for a while - as evidenced by the middle of the other night when I woke Taylor up to swaddle the baby to soothe him - pointing to the cat* that was sleeping at the end of the bed as Brecken slept peacefully in his nursery. We were those people who in the beginning not only slept in the same room with him, but with the video monitor on and the volume up all the way! You can't tell we are new parents.

I'm absolutely sick of the books and articles! If I read one more line that starts with "Recent studies suggest..." Every book you read, every doctor you talk to has a different opinion. I had a wake up call the other day when as we made the decision to move back down to our master bedroom I told Taylor I wasn't sure it was the right thing to do as some cultures suggest leaving a baby alone in their nursery as they sleep is liken to child abuse. Taylor promptly found the place marked in my book where I read this pointing out to me that this reference was to a rural Mayan culture. Taylor suggested we adopt our own parenting style and perhaps not rely on the Mayans to guide our philosophy. Noted... low point...

The feelings of exhaustion and sheer confusion give way to pure happiness and amazement. 6 weeks in I wouldn't change one thing, except perhaps trying to swaddle one of our pets and relying on acient civilizations to guide our decision making :)

A few pictures to share...

Up next: Our favorite baby products (thus far) and the NFL Draft (two independent entries).

*A disclaimer - we are in fact not "cat people". We rescued our dog Tres 2 years ago to bring some balance to our lives; and, now that the dog chases the cat all over the house, we can't decide what kind of people we are.

Photos Courtesy of: Jenny Beck, www.jennybeckphotography.com