Sale Alert!

Pssst!  We'll be having a sale all next weekend for Black Friday/Plaid Saturday/Cyber Monday!  Be sure to check here on Friday for the sale code - and if you want to get it Thursday night make sure to sign up for our Newsletter below  ;)  

Important Tips on Creating Your Baby Registry

Creating a registry for your first baby is a lot of fun - and pretty overwhelming.  A lot of people either end up registering for way too much stuff or not enough - so we're here to give you some tips to help find a good balance.  | This post contains affiliate links |

Bring a Recently New Mom With You

If possible, bring a relative or friend who's had a baby within the last two years - but someone who won't be overbearing and force all their choices on you. This mom's insights will be invaluable as you navigate the overwhelming selection of Babies 'R Us. Show her the products that catch your eye and get her honest feedback on them - she'll think of things you haven't thought of (how hard something would be to clean, how often you'll actually use it, how quickly baby will outgrow it, etc). She'll also help you think of items you maybe hadn't thought of (like a carseat mirror, a mattress cover for your own bed, etc).

Less is More

As tempting as it is, don't put every single cute thing you see on your registry.  Make sure to only put what you *really* need (plus a few fun things too of course).  The reasoning is, there's a good chance family and friends will just buy a lot of the fun stuff on your list and overlook some of the most important items, leaving you to purchase the necessities.  

Wide Variety of Price Points

Not everyone can afford shopping at Pottery Barn, or will be able to afford to buy you the $500 crib or $200 car seat.  Yes, many baby essentials are expensive - but make sure you have items that everyone can afford on your list too.  Think bottles, sheets, teethers, wipes, etc.  

Think Beyond Newborn

Don't just register for newborn items - make sure to think ahead to what your baby may need their whole first year. Eventually they'll need a high chair, feeding items, a push toy, etc. Make sure to think beyond the first three months and include some items for when they get a bit older.

Choose Products to Grow with Baby

If possible, choose items that do double duty and will grow with your baby. Carseats are a big one: you have the option of choosing an infant carseat (one with a handle that detaches from the carseat base) and then buying a toddler or convertible carseat later that year when baby outgrows it. -OR- you can choose a convertible carseat from the get-go, one that's good from around 4-70 pounds, so you just buy one carseat and you're good for the next six years or whenever it expires (yes, carseats do expire). Other items that you can choose to grow with your baby are convertible pack-and-plays, high chairs/boosters, and carriers.

Don't Register for Baby Clothes

Other than some necessities (side snap onesies for newborns, sleep sacks, etc), don't register for clothes. Why, you ask? The most practical reason is that clothing availability changes so often (sometimes a few times within a season) - so when you add a cute outfit to your registry today, there's a good chance it will be unavailable in a month or so. Another reason is that shopping for baby clothes is so special and enjoyable for your family and friends, you don't want to deprive them of that. And yes, you probably will end up with some outfits that aren't in your taste, but if it makes Great Aunt Madge happy it's worth it.

Start a College Fund

Politely let your family and friends know that contributions to your baby's savings account are welcome.  It's important to start saving early and even if it's small, it's worth putting money away little bit, by little bit.  

Something for You Too!  

Don't forget Mama too!  Ask for something practical that you need or that will help make things a bit easier.  Maybe a gift card to a maternity shop so you can invest in some great nursing bras or nursing-friendly clothes.  Or maybe a one-month subscription to a meal delivery service, because every new parent knows how rough that first month can be (and the last thing you want to do is drag your sleep-deprived self and a newborn to the grocery store).  

I hope I gave you some helpful tips on planning your baby registry!  If you're looking for some ideas on specific items to get, be sure to check out our Top Baby Must-Haves post.  

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Related Posts:

• Our Top Baby Registry Must-Haves

• Pain-Free Childbirth: My Hypnobirthing Experience

• “Things I Wish I Knew Before my C-Section”

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Paper Pizza Craft

Our little one made this Paper Pizza at story time at the public library the other day and I thought it was so cute I wanted to show you all.  The story time lady read several pizza-related stories and then had the kids make their own paper pizzas to bring home.  The kids really enjoyed this project and I think it would make a great activity for a pizza-themed kids' party.  

They gave the kids paper plates and a brown crayon to color the "crust" (our daughter skipped this part), then a paper red circle "tomato sauce" to glue down, shredded yellow paper "cheese", as well as paper mushrooms, pepperonis, and meatballs.  After the pizzas were done, the kids took them home in actual pizza boxes which was the perfect finishing touch to the project.  These brand new boxes had been bought ahead of time at the local pizza shop for a few cents each.  

I don't remember the actual books she read before the project, but I've linked some cute-looking pizza stories here (affiliate links):  

• Curious George and the Pizza Party by Margaret & H.A. Rey
• The Pizza Delivery Mystery by Natalie Shaw
• Pete's a Pizza by William Steig
• Pizza for Paul by Schneider Deve
• Little Nino's Pizzeria by Karen Barbour

Looks like we need to throw a party now!

I just received some of the most beautiful party and gift supplies from Creative Wife & Joyful Worker and Essential Packaging, Inc.  Now I really want to throw a party, STAT!  They included ribbons, tissue paper, favor bags, gift boxes and bags, straws, seals, gift tags and more, all in a white and gold theme.  Essential Packaging definitely has an eye for coordinating everything beautifully! 

Thank you so much again, ladies! All the items are gorgeous and so luxe.  

Painted Starry Night Wedding Invites

My husband recently designed these beautiful Painted Starry Night Wedding Invites for Creative Market, and I just had to share them here.  I think they're just beautiful!  

There are three different designs that are fully customizeable to your text and color preferences, you can then print them at home or take them to your local printing service.  I hope you love these as much as I do!  

First Birthday Party Details

Our little Madison turned one last month!  We had a very low-key, small party with just immediate family invited.  We decided to keep decorations to a minimum and keep it simple and fun.  
Here are some of the details from the little party.  

Her party theme was pink and green polk-a-dots (with some buttons for good measure).  For the centerpiece we used her name puzzle propped up on a plate stand with some birthday balloons added for fun:  

I made the cake myself and kept it easy, to decorate it I added edible sugar buttons:  

For favors we filled pink polk-a-dot paper favor bags with chocolate Hershey's Hugs and Kisses candies, so party-goers could take home "hugs and kisses" from the birthday girl:  

Turn a Starbucks Bottle into a Milk Bottle Vase

Ever notice that the silhouette of those Starbucks bottles are very much like an old-fashioned milk bottle?  I'm sure the real reason is smart marketing, but an ever better reason is for you to turn that bottle into a milk bottle vase!  

Materials:  

• Starbucks glass bottle, with lid (which means you have to drink one of those delicious coffee drinks.. darn)
• white or cream acrylic paint
• cardboard

How to:  

First drink a Starbucks (most difficult part of the job right here).  Then remove the labels and wash the bottle thoroughly, inside and out.  You should be able to get the glue residue and expiration mark off the bottle with a scrubby sponge and dish soap.  Rinse the cap and save.  

After the bottle has completely dried, squirt a decent amount of acrylic paint into it and replace the cap.  Swirl and shake the bottle until the paint has completely coated the inside of the bottle, adding more paint if necessary.  

Remove the cap and pour the excess paint back into your paint bottle.  

Next set bottle upside down on the cardboard for about 30 seconds then pick straight up, set back down in a different spot, and repeat several more times until you seem to have most of the excess paint out and a nice even coat on the inside of the bottle.  

Put bottle back upright to dry so the paint doesn't drip and pull away from the bottom and also so that air can get inside.  At this point I brought it inside the garage to dry - didn't want any curious grasshoppers falling in!  

Let dry about 48 hours.. it can take a surprisingly long time to dry due to the small opening of the bottle.  

Once completely dry, place on a sunny windowsill and admire.  (Note:  this vase is for decor purposes only.  If you put water in it for cut flowers the acrylic paint may start to lift off the glass after a while.. just something to keep in mind.  You may want to consider using fake flowers.)  

You could even dress these up a bit with some gingham or burlap ribbon.  They are so easy to make and could be used for all sorts of things such as small centerpieces or accents for a bridal or baby shower.  

Our Top Baby Registry Must-Haves (many will surprise you!)

Getting ready for a new baby means.. a lot of stuff.  Like, a boatload.  Some stuff you’ll hardly ever use, and others you just couldn’t live without. 
Read on for some of our favorite baby registry must-haves - some will surprise you! 
| This post contains affiliate links |

1. Coconut Oil - This will become your go-to every time baby has dry skin or a rash. It helps treat cradle cap, dry skin, various diaper rashes, and heat rash. It's is a natural anti-fungal and antibacterial so it heals, moisturizes, and helps keep the issue from coming back.
   (FYI - coconut oil can be expensive.. the place where we've found the best deal has been in-store at Trader Joe's.)
   

2. Aden+Anais Swaddle Blankets – nearly all babies love to be swaddled, and these blankets are perfect. They’re made of very breathable muslin which helps ensure baby doesn't overheat and are also over-sized so you always have plenty of material to work with.
   When baby no longer wants to be swaddled, they make perfect lightweight stroller blankets.
   

3. Sophie the Giraffe - I thought this was the most ridiculous thing at first (nearly $20 for a little rubber giraffe? Really?!), but our daughter absolutely loves it! It was one of the first toys she could hold and play with thanks to it's long neck and legs, and all of it's different parts and textures give her a lot of options for teething.
   Now that she's crawling she loves holding on to Sophie and squeaking her against the floor as she goes along. It's become one of our daughter's favorite toys, though our dog did take some convincing that it wasn't for her.
   

4. Convertible Pack 'N Play (with bassinet + changing table) - In the first few weeks when you're sore and beyond exhausted, you're going to want some place close to put your baby down or change her. These convertible pack 'n plays are ideal, but don't get too carried away with them! When we were first comparing all our options we were tempted to get the most expensive one will all the bells and whistles, but instead settled for a mid-range model and I'm so glad we did. Our little baby outgrew the bassinet within weeks so if we had spent extra money on one with an extra-fancy bassinet it would have been for naught. As a whole though these pack 'n plays grow with baby, so this is a purchase you'll be using for a long time.
   

5. Insulated Lunch Box or Small Cooler - Bottle feeding or breast feeding, at some point you will need to take milk or formula with you. Whether you choose a novelty lunch box that will take your little one into daycare and preschool or an ordinary small cooler, having someplace to keep milk and first foods cold on the go is essential.
   

6. Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit - This is another one of those things I thought was a total gimmick at first but after weeks of our little one walking up no less than 15 times a night (oh how I wish I was exaggerating) and refusing to nap during the day, I gave it a try and it certainly was magical!
   The Sleepsuit helps transition your little one when they no longer want to be swaddled, but are still being awoken by their Moro reflex. It allows them to sleep on their back in a stretched out position but the puffy padded suit helps "muffle" their startles, keeping them feeling cozy and safe and allowing them to fall back asleep on their own. The suit comes in two sizes (3-6 months and 6-9 months) and should no longer be used when baby is able to start to roll over in the suit.
   For us this suit was a sanity saver and got our little one's sleep back on track. It also was instrumental in helping us establish naps and start our daughter on a schedule when she was a few months old.
   

7. Stain Removers - Babies are messy, and you don't realize just how much so until you have one.
   So far Seventh Generation Natural Stain Remover Spray has been able to take down every laundry stain we've thrown at it - even set-in stains that have already been through the wash once already are no match for this spray.
   For the instances when baby poops, pees, or spits up on things that can't go through the washing machine (like the carpet or the couch) Bi-O-Kleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator does a great job at lifting the stains and smells out.
   

8. Jogging Stroller - It doesn't matter if you're or runner or have never worked out a day in your life - get the jogging stroller over the regular stroller with the little wheels.
   After going for walks with friends that have regular strollers, it made me all the more thankful for our jogger! Our BOB stroller navigated the walking path and sidewalks with ease but for our small-wheeled stroller friends, relatively small cracks and uneven parts of the sidewalk became like hitting a brick wall with stroller, baby, and mom coming to an abrupt halt.
   And don't let price and compatibility deter you - my sister-in-law found our nearly $400 BOB stroller on Craigslist for only $40, so don't be afraid to buy used! Also most joggers have car seat adapters available so you can still use your travel system like you would with a regular stroller.
   

9. The Baby Book by Dr. Sears - Ever wish babies came with directions? This is probably as close as you'll come. This easy-to-read book covers all the basics and more and is a great reference for just about everything that will come your way.
   While you're pregnant I also highly recommend reading The Pregnancy Book and The Birth Book (also of the Sears Parenting series). I read several pregnancy/labor books while expecting and these were the most thorough books hands-down. And while they were a little too "touchy-feely" for my taste at times, I felt as though they really helped me prepare for and understand my pregnancy and labor.
   

10. Mattress Protection (for your mattress) - It's a given to get mattress covers for the baby's mattress, but until someone suggested one for our mattress too it never crossed my mind.
    In your last trimester get a good-quality, non-crinkly mattress cover for your own bed. That way in case your water breaks in bed, you're protected. Then even after baby is born, leave it on because at some point baby will poop, pee, or throw-up in your bed. It will happen more than once, trust me. And do you really want to ruin that $400 mattress? Didn't think so.
    

11. Fan - White noise can help lull a baby to sleep and good air circulation can help reduce the risk of SIDS, so having a fan near wear your baby sleeps is a great idea. Some people swear by sound machines to help their baby to sleep, but personally the thought of whale sounds going for hours on end gives me a headache.
    Whatever you decide to do, have a little white background noise and make sure baby's room is well-ventilated.
    

12. Infant Carrier – there are lots of great ones out there. I suggest going to a local Babies ‘R Us or baby boutique and try some on to see what features you like and don’t like. Some people really like a structured carrier (like an Ergo or Boba), and others prefer the ones made of stretchy material (like a Moby wrap). Personally, I prefer the structured carrier.. it’s definitely a lot easier to take on and off when you’re out and about. Just make sure not to get one that's considered a "crotch-dangler" - they're bad for baby's hips!
    Whatever you choose, baby-wearing is not only great for bonding but it’s a HUGE sanity saver. It allows you to be able to still get things done around the house when your little one won’t let you put them down.

That's our list of our top baby must-haves, but of course there are a million other things you'll need - diapers, wipes, bottles, breast pumps, diaper pail, saline drops, co-sleeper or bassinet, crib, high chair, car seat... The list goes on and on but we hope we gave you some ideas for things that you might not have thought of.  
It can be a hard and exhausting job, but motherhood is the most rewarding thing you'll ever do.  Good luck, Mama - you'll do great!  

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Related Posts:

• Important Tips for Creating Your Baby Registry

• Pain-Free Childbirth: My Hypnobirthing Experience

• “Things I Wish I Knew Before my C-Section”

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