Rory Keiko 3 Month Update

Rory,

I can honestly say that this has been the best three months of your dad's and my life. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. I am so fortunate to be able to stay home with you and watch you grow. Although I am excited to see what the future holds, I am also a little sad that you're no longer a newborn. You're growing so fast! Life seemed to fast forward the day you were born. Being your mommy is not without it's challenges, but I wouldn't trade one minute with you for the world! 

Your first time in the Bumbo! (Guess who dressed you? Apparently your father thinks all shades of pink go together.) 

You love listening to your daddy play the guitar. Jack Johnson is your favorite, which means you have excellent taste in music.

Bath time is your favorite time of day! 

Your Miley Cyrus face. 

Deep thoughts: Right boob or left? 

Stretching or doing the sprinkler? You decide. 

Hello, Gammy? We need you here ASAP. 

Watching TV- you love the Today Show. That Matt Lauer really gets you going. 

Such a happy baby. Everyone comments on your chubby cheeks.

All bundled up.  

Don't let this photo fool you;  you're not a big fan of tummy time, but you last a little longer every day. 

My Obligatory Cloth Diaper Post: Part 2

I mentioned in my last cloth diapering post that making the decision to cloth diaper hasn't been nearly as painful or messy as I thought it would be. But, it does require a certain amount of organization and planning, as well as a variety of cloth diapering accessories. Everyone has their own wash routine, method of organization, and list of essentials that they can't live without. Here's mine:

The Stash 


My cloth diaper stash consists of the following:

3  Thirsties covers (size small)

12 Bummis prefolds (size medium)

2 Flip covers (one size)

12 Flip inserts (one size)

3 Little Monsters pocket diapers with microfiber inserts (one size)

6 BumGenius all in one organic diapers (one size)

After taking a cloth diapering class, I quickly realized that there are pluses and minuses to every type of cloth diaper, so I decided to get a few of each and decide which I like best. 

The prefolds with covers are definitely the least expensive, but also the most difficult to use. They have to be folded and pinned, which takes some getting used to, and can be quite challenging on a wiggly baby. 

The Flip covers and inserts are probably my favorite. These inserts require no folding or pinning, but the cover can be reused several times, which makes them very cost effective. The inserts are labeled with small, medium, and large to show where to fold according to the size of your baby. This reduces leakage and means the same liner can be used as your baby grows. Another thing I like about the Flip diapers is the variety of inserts available. Besides the regular stay-dry inserts, they also offer disposable inserts, which are great for traveling or when you're out and about, as well as extra absorbent night-time inserts. 

I haven't had any problems with my pocket diapers, but honestly I don't really see the point. They have to be stuffed before use and the insert must be removed before washing. (Removing the insert after a poop explosion without actually touching any of the poop should be made into a Minute to Win it game.) So, just like the Flips and the prefolds, there are two parts, but the shell isn't reusable. The good think about pocket diapers is that you can increase their absorbency by adding additional inserts. This is especially useful if you use cloth diapers at night. I also love the embroidered detail on the butt of these diapers. 

The Bumgenius all in one diapers are my go-to diapers. They are the closest to disposables, so if you are still on the fence about cloth diapering, I recommend stocking up on these. They are very easy to use and there are no inserts involved. However, these are also the bulkiest and the most expensive.

The Essentials

BumGenius Diaper Sprayer



This thing has been a life saver. It's easy to install and does the job. It makes washing CD that much easier. (Warning: There is a learning curve. Make sure you practice using it, or you could end up spraying yourself with poop. Or so I've been told.)


Snappis



These are used to "pin" prefolds together without having to use actual pins. They are made of super stretchy rubber and are easy to use. No sharp pins means no blood, which is good because I'm not sure I could deal with poop and blood.


Diaper Pail


This is a fancy term for plastic trashcan. Our is a simple white one from Target, but I've heard good things about the Diaper Dekor pail, which comes in several fun colors.


Pail Liner



This is essentially a huge wet bag that goes into your diaper pail and makes it easy to transfer diapers from pail to washer. These do a great job blocking out the smell and can be thrown right into the washer with the cloth diapers. Mine is the Kanga Care brand, and it has a small tab on the inside that you can use to put a drop of essential oil. I haven't tried this yet because I haven't had any problems with smell, but it was definitely a selling factor for me. I'm such a sucker.


Travel Wet Bags




I freakin' love these things. I have several different sizes and use them for all sorts of things. I keep one in my diaper bag to hold wet/soiled clothes and diapers, and there is also one hanging on the door in Rory's nursery. I throw disposable diapers, diaper liners, and dirty wipes in there and empty it every few days. Bummis and Planet Wise make great wetbags, but try Alva for a cheaper option. Rory hasn't been to our local pool yet, but these will be great for holding wet swimsuits this summer.


Diaper Liners



These aren't a necessity, but they sure do make cloth diapering a little easier (and less messy). Mine come in a roll and look a lot like dryer sheets. I just stick one in her diaper before putting it on and it does a great job catching the solids. These can the flushed or tossed in the trashcan. I usually just toss them because I get nervous about backing up the septic system. I'm sure these will be even more useful once she starts solids.


Ecos Free and Clear Laundry Detergent



This was one of my hardest CD decisions. I read blogs, message boards, and interrogated spoke to fellow CD moms before finally deciding on Ecos detergent. There are several detergents made especially for cloth diapers, but they are expensive and must be ordered online. I also wanted a detergent I could use for both regular laundry and CD, rather than having to switch back and forth. Ecos Free and Clear is free and clear of dyes, scents, and chemicals that could harm your cloth diapers or irritate baby's skin. So far, I haven't had any issues with ammonia or stink, but we're still early in the game.


BioKleen Bacout 



I love this stuff! It's made of natural enzymes and lime and does a great job eliminating stains and smells. I use it for everything. (I'm like the dad on My Big Fat Greek Wedding who was obsessed with Windex.) We literally have four bottles around the house right now. I keep one right next to the diaper pail, and before I toss a dirty diaper in the pail, I give it a quick spray to help prevent staining and ammonia buildup. I also use it on our clothing, carpet, and furniture. I'm telling you, I would bathe in it if it were socially acceptable.


Buncha Farmers Stain Stick


Just when I thought I couldn't love anything more than Bacout, a friend told me about Buncha Farmers all natural stain stick. This thing is magic. I rub a little on any left over stains, and they literally disappear. I read somewhere that you can cut off a small chunk and throw it in the wash with your CD, but I haven't tried that yet. I just placed this on automatic order on my Amazon prime account. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm slightly obsessed.


Oxiclean Baby



I was skeptical of this at first because I was worried that the chemicals would ruin the diapers or irritate Rory's skin, but Oxiclean Baby is free of harmful dyes and fragrances, and I haven't had any problems so far. I put a small scoop in with the detergent, and I think the "grit-factor" (Yes, I do believe I just made that phrase up.) helps clean the diapers and keep them nice and white.

Drying Rack 

I bought this drying contraption at Ikea for super cheap. It's perfect for drying cloth diaper clovers that can't go in the dryer, and it doesn't take up a lot of space.

I Have to Get This Off My (exceptionally large) Chest

A few weeks ago, I asked a fellow mommy-friend if she wanted to meet me for a drink (or three). Her response?
Sure, I just have to make sure my husband can babysit the boys. 

Ugh! There are few things that bother me more than this statement. A babysitter is a sixteen-year-old high school student trying to earn extra money so she can buy low-rise jeans. A baby sitter is not the father of your children. When you ask your husband to "babysit", it implies that spending time with his children is a job. There's a reason why stay-at-home moms don't refer to themselves as full-time babysitters. Mothers and fathers are parents, not babysitters.

Granted, most stay-at-home parents are women (although this is changing), and traditionally the father is considered the breadwinner and the mother the caregiver, but this does not mean that males are not just as capable of caring for their children. It takes a mother and a father to conceive a child, and ideally, it takes a mother and a father to raise a child.There is nothing (aside from breastfeeding) that dads can't do just as well as moms. Dads can rock a baby to sleep. Dads can change a diaper. Dads can color with and read to their children. So why do we often say dads are "babysitting" when they spend time alone with their children?

The media does little to change society's narrow-minded view of gender roles. In fact, most TV shows and movies only seem to validate this mindset by creating male characters who act completely clueless when it comes to caring for their own children. How many times has the father on one of your favorite sitcoms done something like put a diaper on backwards, or fed his TV children candy for dinner? These "fathers" are constantly portrayed as incompetent, uninterested parental figures. They can't wait for their wives to get home so they can be relinquished of all parental duties.  Is this real life? Not in my house, it isn't. Marcos can't wait to get home to spend time with Rory. He doesn't complain when I leave him alone with her to go run errands and he certainly doesn't ask to be paid for his time with her. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bragging. I don't think Marcos is an amazing dad just because he enjoys spending time with Rory. This is both his duty and his privilege as a parent.

I admit that most moms (including myself), are partly to blame for the stigma attached to male caregivers. Before I leave Marcos and Rory alone together, I can often be heard shouting out a list of instructions that I'm sure Marcos would consider common sense, and there are times when I catch myself pushing Marcos out of the way because he is taking too long to change Rory's diaper or chastise him for putting her in the "wrong" pajamas. As long as she's diapered and clothed, does it really matter? No wonder fathers are slow to offer their help and less likely to volunteer to spend time alone with their children. If we're constantly telling them that they're doing things the wrong way, it only reinforces the theory that  mothers are the better caregivers and fathers should take the backseat when it comes to raising their own children. Although you will never hear me refer to Marcos' fatherly duties as "babysitting," I need to remember that Marcos is a very capable parent who doesn't need me hovering or shouting orders at him. When Marcos and Rory spend time alone together, I know she will be safe, fed, and most importantly, loved.

So the point of my rant is this:
Dads, you are not babysitters.
Moms, you don't always know best.
Sitcom writers, get some new material already.

And now, some pictures of celebrities with their children, because why not?

Will Smith with son, Jaden 

Crazy asshole Tom Cruise with daughter, Suri

David Beckam with daughter, Harper

My husband Channing Tatum with daughter, Everly

My Obligatory Cloth Diaper Post: Part 1

Okay, so I know what you're thinking: You're crazy. And maybe I am. But if saving hundreds of dollars on diapers every year makes me crazy, then I don't want to be sane. I did a lot of research before making the decision to cloth diaper. Marcos and I even took a cloth diapering class, which answered a lot of our questions. I highly recommend checking to see if there's one in your area if you're considering cloth diapering. There are lots of benefits to going cloth, including cost, environmental impact, all-natural fibers, and most importantly, cuteness. Despite these benefits, I still had some major concerns before fully committing to cloth diapering.

My biggest concerns were:
1. The high upfront cost
2. The yuck factor
3. The time factor

Turns out, if you do it right, none of these issues are a real concern. Well, not enough of a concern to deter me from joining the cloth diapering cult, anyway.


The Cost
It's true that cloth diapering saves you money in the long run, but it can also be quite costly upfront. Plus, there are several different types of cloth diapers, and you never know which kind you'll prefer. I didn't want to waste money on diapers that I wouldn't use. The thought of buying used diapers was a little unsettling to me, but I scoured Craigslist for deals on cloth diapers, and saw several postings from people selling unused cloth diapers for much cheaper than retail. (I skipped right over ads with the words "light staining".) I also used gift cards that I received from my shower and bought a few on sale from Zulilly and Cottonbabies.com. I probably spent $150 of my own money for our entire diaper stash. I quickly discovered that using prefolds and covers is the cheapest option, so these make-up the majority of our collection.

The Yuck

Honestly, the yuck factor doesn't bother me too much. Whether or not I use disposables or cloth, I'm still going to have to deal with poop. I may as well save some money in the process. Each time I change Rory's diaper I put a biodegradable liner in the diaper. This catches the solids and can be easily flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trashcan. These cost about $7 for 200, and now that Rory's bowels are on more of a schedule, I can predict when I'll need them and when I can skip them all together. I also used one of my gift cards to buy a BumGenius diaper sprayer. So any solids that happen to escape the liner can be easily sprayed off the diaper and into the toilet. This means that I never have to actually touch any poop. Hooray!


The Time
I'm fortunate enough to stay at home, but even if I was working, cloth diapering doesn't require much more time than using disposables, especially if you're OCD organized. Actually changing a cloth diaper is easy and fast. Even if I'm using a prefold, it only takes a few minutes to put on a new diaper. If it's just a wet diaper, I throw it into the diaper pail and we're on our way. If it's dirty, I simply flush the liner and quickly spray any poop remnants into the toilet using the diaper sprayer. This takes a max of three minutes. The wash routine takes the most time, but it's just like doing any other load of laundry. Every three days I simply dump the soiled diapers from the wetbag into the washer. I press a few buttons, and voila! Clean diapers!



I decided to use a disposable at nights and if I know we'll be out of the house for awhile. (Which doesn't happen too often these days.) Nighttime disposables are just easier for us at this point since Rory still sleeps in our room and the cloth diapering supplies are kept in her nursery alllllll the way down the hall. (What? I like my sleep.) This just seemed to work best for us, but I know lots of people who use cloth all day everyday with no problems. Now that we've been cloth diapering for the past month or so, I'm so glad we decided to do it. Even my husband has come around and admitted that it's not nearly as gross or time-consuming as he originally thought.

What I Should Have Registered For

Hand Sanitizer
What's that? You want to hold my baby? Sure! Just take a purell bath, put on these sterile gloves and this facemask, and I'll hand her right over.



Motherlove Nipple Cream
I've tried my fair share of nipple cream, and this one is by far the best. If I had known how much I would be buying, I would have invested in the stock long ago. To hear more about my breastfeeding debacle, read this.


Laundry Detergent
When I was in college, I probably did laundry once every six weeks. I'm ashamed to say that there were several times when I simply bought more underwear rather than wash the ones I had. Those days are long gone. Now, I can't go a day without doing at least one load of laundry. I can't even blame Rory. Most of the laundry is mine. Although, I wouldn't have leaking boobs and baby vomit on my shirt if it wasn't for her, so I guess technically she is to blame.



Wine
Do I really need to explain this one?



Hanna Anderson Zippered Pajamas 
I'm sorry, but who the eff designed baby clothes?
The designers brainstorming session probably went something like this:
No neck muscles? Huge, fragile skull? Can only breath through their noses? Need to be changed about ten times a day? I know! Let's Make everything with small, tight neck holes so their hormonal mothers can spend 10 minutes attempting to put a stupid onesie over their humongous, wobbly heads.
I'm not exaggerating...one day it took me half an hour to dress Rory. And forget trying to change a newborn in the middle of the night. Even the outfits that don't require you to put anything over a baby's head usually have about a million stupid snaps. I bought a pair of Hanna Anderson pajamas at a consignment sale and Rory is finally big enough for them. They're made of soft, durable cotton and they zip instead of snap! Waking up at 2 in the morning just got a little less miserable. I know there are other brands that make zippered pajamas, but I don't think they hold up as well. Plus, Hanna Anderson makes matching pajamas for parents. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.


Yoga Pants 
Did you know when you leave the hospital, you still look 6 months pregnant? Don't worry, your stomach will continue to contract in the next few weeks, especially if you're breastfeeding, but in the meantime, you will need "transition clothes". I refused to wear my maternity pants post-birth, so I opted for sweats and yoga pants instead. I had about 5 pairs that I just constantly rotated for the first six weeks after Rory was born. The day that I finally fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans, it was like the heavens parted and the angels sang. Who cares that they were my biggest pair of jeans and I still had a slight muffin top?

My Obligatory Baby Registry Post

Okay guys, I realize Rory is only three months old, so I can't exactly call myself an expert when it comes to baby products, but then again, I'm currently in the throws of infancy, so I definitely know what baby items were worth the money and which ones I wish I had kicked off the registry.



Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets (Actually, Aden and Anais anything)

These blankets are probably on everyone's baby registry, and there's a reason they are. Babies like to be swaddled-it reminds them of being in the womb. We quickly discovered that Rory sleeps better and longer (which means we sleep better and longer) when she's double swaddled. So, we use two of these bad boys every night. The A&A blankets are by far the best blankets for swaddling. They're made of soft, breathable muslin fabric and come in lots of fun prints. They also wash really well. They can also be used as breastfeeding covers, stroller/carseat blankets, play mats, and even burp cloths on occasion. I buy these for all of my pregnant friends, even if they're not on their registries-I know they'll thank me later. We may or may not have 12 of them. Everything from this brand is high-quality and extra soft. I also registered for A&A crib sheets, changing pad covers, wash cloths, burp cloths, and bibs. They even make blankets for adults. Marcos says it's too late to register for one.


California Baby

Anything by this brand is worth the money in my opinion. Colorado is very dry, and Rory's skin gets irritated and flaky if we don't use this lotion daily. We also use the shampoo/body wash combo in the bath, and her head smells so good afterwards. (Is there anything better than that delicious baby smell?) What I like most about this company is that they use all natural and minimal ingredients. I never have to worry that I'm exposing Rory to dangerous chemicals or irritants.
The diaper rash cream and sunblock are also staples in my diaper bag.


The B.O.B Jogging Stroller

Okay, so I haven't actually used our jogging stroller for jogging yet, but I'm so glad we splurged on one. There are lots of options when it comes to joggers, and we went with the BOB, but I've heard great things about several other brands, including the City Jogger and Britax. Even Graco has their own version. Yes, they're a little bulky and not ideal for quick trips to the grocery store, but they're great for walks, hikes, and other outdoor adventures. We've also used ours to walk around the mall. As my husband has said on more than one occasion, "that thing has better shocks than my car." It's true. The stroller can go up/down large hills and over huge bumps and Rory won't even bat an eye. It's easy to steer and even easier to fold and store. I keep telling myself that I will eventually (when it gets warmer?) use it for it's intended purpose and actually take Rory jogging with me, but until then, I'm happy to use it for our strolls around the neighborhood.


Playmat

I added this to my registry at the last minute, and it's actually the item that I use most. We throw this thing down on the floor as soon as we wake up and don't put it away until Rory is asleep at night. I read somewhere that it's important for babies to spend ample amount of time on the floor. Think about it. Crawling, rolling over, tummy time....all of those milestones require babies to be on the floor. Even though we have carpet, I feel better using a playmat because it provides extra padding and can be easily sanitized. Ours is also easy to fold up and store, which is great for when we have company or don't feel like looking at obnoxious primary colors.



Ergo Baby Carrier with Infant Insert

I just recently began using this, but so far I really like it. It has great back support and is fairly easy to take on and off. Rory seems to like it too, and has even fallen asleep in it several times. It's great for doing laundry/dishes or going on walks. It's also perfect for running into places when you don't feel like breaking out the stroller or carrying the infant carseat around. (Am I just really weak, or do those things weigh a ton?!) I did a lot of research before choosing a carrier and decided on the Ergo after talking to several mom friends and reading reviews. I know lots of people love the Moby wrap, but it scares the crap out of me. It's just one huge piece of fabric that somehow magically turns into a baby carrier. I don't think I'm coordinated enough for that. (I just had a flashback to my one and only attempt at creating an origami swan. Yikes!) Apparently the way your baby's legs are positioned in a carrier has an impact on their hip development, and the Ergo is one of the better carriers when considering this aspect. Once Rory is older, she can face out or I can wear her like a backpack (see smiling woman below).  I got mine off Craigslist, so I recommend checking there before paying full price. You never know if your baby is going to like it or hate it.

(Pretty sure I won't be using the carrier when Rory is this old?!)


My Breast Friend and The Boppy 

I registered for the My Breast Friend nursing pillow and also bought a Boppy pillow at a consignment sale. I was worried that one would sit in a closet unused, but I still use both of them often.  I like My Breast Friend because it's a little firmer so baby doesn't fall through the crack between your stomach and the pillow. It also has an attached drink holder for water (or wine?) and two slightly raised bumps for baby's head to rest on. It also buckles in the back for lumbar support and also prevents the pillow from moving. The Boppy is great for middle of the night feeds. It's easy to slip on and its super firm. Plus, the pillow and the covers are easy to wash. I would buy at least three covers because they get dirty fast, especially in the early months. (Think leaking/spraying boobs and lots of spit up or spilled wine.)



Angel Care Monitor

I never thought I would be that mom that checks in on her baby in the middle of the night to make sure she's breathing. Just add it to the list of things I was wrong about. The first time Rory slept through the night I would have thought she was dead if we didn't have the Angel Care monitor. The whole nine months I was pregnant, all I did was worry about the things that could go wrong. (Preeclampsia, placenta previa, premature delivery, will she have her father's taste in music, the list goes on and on.)  As soon as Rory exited the womb, I started obsessing worrying about SIDS. The Angel Care monitor comes with a motion-detecting mat that is placed under the crib/bassinet mattress. It checks for movement (baby breathing) every fifteen seconds and will sound an alarm if no movement is detected. I often wake up in the middle of the night and look at the monitor to make sure the green light is blinking, which is much easier than touching Rory's chest or putting my finger under her nose. I can be psychotic from the comfort of my own bed. Of course, there is a learning curve. You have to remember to turn the monitor off when you lift your baby from the crib in the middle of the night to feed her or you might scare the shit out of your husband at 2 in the morning.



Swing and Vibrating Bouncer

My friend gave us a simple vibrating bouncer seat that I forgot about until about six weeks after Rory was born. Now, I'm not sure I could live without it. It's perfect for setting on the counter while I cook dinner or empty the dishwasher. It's very light weight and easy to tote around the house. Also, I'm pretty sure it wasn't made for this purpose, but every morning  without fail, as soon as I put Rory in the seat so I can make my breakfast, she poops. My husband has started calling it the poop seat. It must be something about the upright position that really gets her bowels moving. We also have a Graco swing that Rory used a lot when she was first born, but she doesn't use it as much now.  I definitely recommend buying both of these second-hand if you can.





Dr. Brown's Bottles

Rory doesn't use bottles very often now, but during my whole breastfeeding fiasco that you can read about here, she would feed from one several times a day. I did a lot of research as to which bottles were best, and finally decided on Dr. Brown's. They come with a special insert that prevents baby from swallowing too much air and Rory has never had a problem with gas/colic. The milk seems to come out at a speed that's manageable for newborns and the bottle fits right onto my Medela pump. The downside to these bottles is that there are additional parts that you have to clean/sterilize, but I just put everything in my dishwasher basket after giving it a quick rinse. I chose the classic glass bottles (I try to avoid plastic when possible), but they also come in BPA-Free plastic as well.



Burp Cloths

Register for about 1,000 of these. We go through at least 2 everyday. I have several different brands, but my favorite ones are by, you guessed it, Aden and Anais. The burpy bibs are great because they can also be used as bibs for when your baby starts eating solids or begins drooling uncontrollably. They are soft, super-absorbent, easy to wash, and the perfect size for throwing over your shoulder or in your diaper bag. My friend Carol also made me a set of burp cloths for my baby shower, and they are amazing. They are soft flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other. I found myself reaching for these so often, that I asked her to make me another set. I'm trying to convince her to open up an Etsy shop, so I'll let you know as soon as she does.

Sophie the Giraffe

Is this thing coated in crack? Seriously, why do all babies love this thing?  I received two Sophies at my baby shower, and I'm glad I did. Rory is already obsessed. If your baby is part of the 1% that doesn't like her, you can always give it to your dog.



Graco Travel Lite Crib

This crib is awesome. It's super light and perfect for the first few months if you plan for baby to sleep in your room. It's a bit smaller than a regular Pack and Play, which makes it perfect for traveling. (Not that I would know.) It has a bassinet on top, which is where Rory has been sleeping for the past two months. It also has wheels on one side that make it easy to maneuver around the room. I know some people use Cosleepers that attach to the side of your bed, but honestly, those make me a bit nervous. I'm sure they're perfectly safe, but I have visions of Rory slipping through the crack between the cosleeper and our mattress or me somehow rolling over and squishing her. I think a travel crib is perfect for parents who want their baby to sleep in the same room, but not too close. Plus, I think it's a great way to transition them to their crib.


StorkSak Diaper Bag

Ahhh, the diaper bag. I spent days  way too long researching diaper bags, and I still ended up with one that I hated. My sister bough me a super nice one from pottery barn kids and had it monogrammed with Rory's initials. The problem is that it doesn't have any pockets! I've discovered that there are two camps when it comes to diaper bags: those who like having pockets and storage compartments, and those who like a bag sans pockets that they can just toss things into. I definitely fall into the pocket-loving category. I found that I was constantly digging for things like my keys, hand sanitizer, or my wallet. By the time I found said item, I had removed the entire contents of my bag. I also realized that since Rory was born, I haven't carried a purse of my own. I just put my wallet in her diaper bag. That being said, I didn't really want my diaper bag to look like a diaper bag, and the one I had received from my sister was a bright pink that literally screamed diaper bag. So I scoured Craigslist for a simple, neutral diaper bag and found a brown Storksak that someone was selling for only $10. Score! Storksak is a London company and their bags usually retail for over $100. I'm really happy with it so far. And guess what my new bag has? Pockets!



Sound Machine

There are lots of good options out there, and quite honestly, I don't think they differ much from one to another, but do yourself a favor and buy one. Ours is compact and has several different noise options. We can even attach it to an MP3 player if we want to play our own music. We put on white noise every night, and I believe it helps Rory sleep through other noises. Thanks to the sound machine, she isn't a light sleeper, and Marcos and I don't have to tip toe around the house when she naps or goes down for the night. The only problem is that once Rory moves to her nursery, we will probably have to buy one for our room because we've gotten so used to the noise, I'm not sure we'd be able to sleep without it.



Carseat Canopy

I am was so paranoid about taking Rory out of the house for the first few weeks after she was born. Newborns' immune systems are so fragile, and she was born during the height of flu season. When we did take her out, I was so glad that we had our Carseat Canopy so that no one would get all up in her grill. It also protects her from the cold and keeps her from being overstimulated if she's tired. I only had to pay 12 bucks for shipping and handling because carseatcanopy.com was having a special when I bought mine. There are several pattern options and I was very impressed by the quality of the material.



Things I Wish I Hadn't Registered For:

A Changing Pad
I haven't used this once. We have a travel one that we put on the floor to change Rory's diaper. I also have a diaper bucket that we stash with her changing pad, diapers, wipes, and rash cream. This makes it easy to change her in any room in the house.

A Nursing Cover
Ugh! Words cannot fully express my hate for nursing covers. They are clumsy and obvious and so hard to position while also trying to get your baby to latch on correctly. I am all for a woman's right to breastfeed in public. It's perfectly natural and I see nothing wrong with it; however, I'm not comfortable whipping my boob out for all the world to see. When we are out and about and Rory needs to nurse, I usually nurse her in the car. But, if I'm somewhere where that's not possible, I either go into a separate room or use a swaddling blanket to cover her once she's latched on. One of my friends swears by the nursing scarfs you can buy on Etsy, but honestly, I don't need one more thing to stuff into my diaper bag. (On a side note, what will she use in the summer??) I already carry a swaddling blanket everywhere I go, so it just makes sense to use it as a cover.

A Moses Basket
Seriously, people, what was I thinking? This isn't 900 BC. Why in the world did I think this was a good idea? This is still in my closet untouched. I have a feeling Rory will love carrying her dolls around in this one day. At least someone will get use out of it.

Car Seat
Does anyone really use these things? Just kidding, guys, just kidding.