mama's favorites

A couple of my friends have cataloged some of their favorite mommy & kidlet items and it was really interesting to see what was on their particular list. It goes to show how unique a mom's experience can be in what things really stand out in their mind as their must-haves. It also was great for getting ideas for things that I or Riley might enjoy! So I've been thinking about my list the past month or so. This is what I came up with after two years of motherhood...

MY MUST-HAVE ITEMS:
1) Medela Pump-n- Style Advanced Breast Pump -- I think this pump is da bomb and what was even better, my insurance paid for it under the "medical equipment" allowance since I was planning to return to work. Cool!
2) My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow -- goofy name but after the Boppy kept falling off my belly, this one fit perfect.
3) Fisher Price Swing -- the kind that goes side to side or front to back.
4) Bumbo Seat


ITEMS I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF USE OUT OF:
1) JJ Cole Logic Diaper Bag -- perfect for the minimalist!
2) Chariot Carrier jog stroller/bike trailer -- spent more for a used one of these than anything else for Riley and it was worth every penny.
3) Floppy Seat Shopping Cart / High Chair cover
4) One Step Ahead Oversized Spill Mat -- my floors stay cleaner during meals.
5) Ultimate Crib Sheet -- waterproof, mattress pad/sheet that snaps around the crib slats for easy changing. The only downside is it doesn't come in more than two colors.
6) Portable DVD player -- essential for long trips with toddlers in the car or plane.


FAVORITE KIDS CDS:
1) Sleep Sound in Jesus (Michael Card) -- a beautiful, scriptural lullaby album
2) No (They Might Be Giants) -- We love all of TMBG's CDs, including Here Come the 123's & Here come the ABCs
3) Snacktime (Barenaked Ladies) -- Who else writes an ode to snacktime with dreams of world peace??
4) Awesome God (Sovereign GraceMusic) -- It's like Hannah Montana signing reformed theology. "Your Love" is our favorite jam...Riley loves it!
5) Meltdown (Justin Roberts) -- Great lyrics and oh-so-catchy music. Grab Pop Fly while you're at it.
6) Hide 'Em in Your Heart (Steve Green) -- Short Scripture verses put to music. A great way to get God's Word into their heads -- and yours.


FAVORITE BOOKS (for kids):
1) Barnyard Dance -- board books don't get more fun than this one!
2) The Foot Book -- Riley has the board book and the "real" one for later
3) Foodie Babies Wear Bibs -- Part of the "Urban Babies Wear Black" series. We like the "Winter Babies" one too.
4) Good Night Boston
5) Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers -- a gift from his "Gramma Betsy", it's perfect for his short attention span.
6) Yummy Yucky -- every time we come to "Burgers are Yummy, Boogers are Yucky", Riley sticks his fingers in his nostrils...very cute.

Though Riley's not yet ready for this book, I have to tell y'all about a book I came across that I'm really excited about. It's called The Big Picture Story Bible. This is a great book for preschoolers & older. Unlike most Bible story books that retell popular Bible stories, this book approaches the Bible as a historical narrative that reveals God as sovereign over history and perfectly fulfilling his promises to his people. It's reveals how active God is in accomplishing his will through the events of the world. It has interactive questions for kids that make it a great devotional book.


FAVORITE DVDS / TV SHOWS:
1) Blues Clues -- we have Classic Clues and Blue's Big Musical Movie for 100% Steve.
3) Curious George -- Free on PBS!
4) Veggie Tales -- We really like Ballad of Little Joe, Josh and the Big Wall, Dave & the Giant Pickle, but I think you can't go wrong with Big Idea.
5) Bob the Builder


FAVORITE BOOKS (for moms):
1) The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer -- She gives her advise on how to help babies establish a routine early on by using the E.A.S.Y. system -- Eat, Activity, Sleep & You time. This way of approaching new motherhood was just right for someone like me who craves order, predictability and routine. I realize that a "routine" may seem restrictive to those who enjoying just taking things as they come. The interesting thing about methods is that they reflect the personality, temperament and priorities of the parents (or more specifically, mother). So there seems to be a number of them that "work" for different types of people. The Baby Whisperer's worked for me.
2) Baby 411 -- This was my quick reference guide for all things baby.
3) The Baby Book -- This was my extended reference guide, when I wanted more data to consume on a subject.


MOST USEFUL ADVISE RECEIVED:
1) To help an infant to sleep without props, the Baby Whisperer advises to order their routine as sleeping, eating and activity. If sleeping comes before eating and after activity (bath, tummy time, reading etc), then sleeping won't be dependent on feeding in order to occur. I found Riley was also more likely to stay awake for the feeding and fill his belly up if it followed his sleep time.

2) Start as you intend to go on. Meaning, think about whether you are establishing a pattern that cannot or should not be maintained in the long run.

3) This advise from my lactation consultant: Pump a bottle of breastmilk for your husband to give to your baby during the night, if he's willing. For us, it meant that each of us got at least 5 hours of sleep, even when Riley was a newborn. I would nurse Riley in the late evening, go to bed and Jonathan got up a few hours later to give Riley a bottle of expressed milk. I got up for the next feeding, while Jonathan slept. Having 5 solid hours of sleep was a Godsend.

4) Enjoy every stage of development, because they move through them so quickly. Each one has very special memories.