Toddler Road-Tripping Must-Haves

This past week, Z, Scout and I packed into our trusty VW and headed south for the 13 hour haul to Florida. My mom had surgery recently (and is doing great!), and with my step-dad headed out of town for work, she needed help with their 500 year old yellow lab while she recovered. 

I will admit, I was super nervous about driving solo with the kid and the dog. Not that Scout is much of a real issue, she's a great traveller, but I'm not so keen on leaving her in the car this time of year. Which means no Cracker Barrel breakfasts and no Moe's for lunch. Bummer. 

The real dilemma...how am I gonna keep Z happy for the loooonnnngggg drive on I95? Well, leaving at 4:30am is helpful, a basket full of grab & go snacks and this cooler filled with things like water, yogurt pouches, and grapes on the passenger seat is also a big win. But having a few other things handy is essential.

#1. Mini Magna Doodle
#2. Sago Mini Apps for iPad - These are the greatest apps for littles! No in-app purchases, no need for WiFi, super intuitive for toddlers, cute, funny, and fun. Z loves both of these, and I'll admit that I do, too. In Forest Flyer, Z drags a little bird around the forest where she eats a cupcake, pops balloons, and visits friends. Every time she plays it, something new is discovered. Doodlecast is a fun doodle app that lets Z choose her "paper", pen-type, and colors. It then records the doodling (with sound if you enable your mic - great for older toddlers who tell a story as they draw) and plays it back. Both are definitely worth the $2.99.
#3. Jumbo Crayolas - These are pretty indestructible, so no crayon bits floating around the backseat. I gave Z a small baking sheet to use as a tray while we traveled, so she was able to lay out her crayons and color comfortably.

#4. Munchkin 360 Cup - No spills or drips!
#5. I bought this on a whim at a kids' consignment shop and the price was perfect...$6.00! I figured if it was played with for a just a week, I got my money's worth. Fast-forward two months and this Laugh & Learn Laptop has become a go-to favorite. Who knew?!
#6. We are big fans of these books, and have quite a few. There's lots to look at and talk about, and they hold Z's attention for more than two minutes. My First Numbers and My First Baby Animals are  Z's favorites right now.

We also used this toddler-sized air mattress when we got to my mom's house. Z has never been a great sleeper (especially on the road) and was never comfy in the pack-n-play, which meant that we always had to have her in bed with us. And that meant that we either had to keep her up till we were ready for bed, or we called it a night at 8pm. Neither was a great option, so I took a chance and ordered the air mattress. And hallelujah! The kid actually slept. And slept well. Every night and every nap. People, the bed is magic. Magic.

Z is under there somewhere, sleeping like a boss!

And now for a "Real Mommy Moment", because this was all sounding a little too awesome...And really the only major trouble we ran into while on the road...rest stops. Z is terrified of the bathrooms - too noisy for her sensitive ears. I can't blame her. But, after waiting through half of South Carolina and the entire state of Georgia to make a pit-stop (Z took and epic nap, so I waited for her to wake up), I pulled into the Florida Welcome Center excited for relief. Of course, I got a sweet parking spot right in front, but had no idea what a tourist attraction this place was. Z started screaming the minute I put her shoes on. She knew what we were there to do. I carried her up the sidewalk, kicking and screaming bloody murder, getting judgmental stares from teenage girls and old men. One sweet grandmotherly woman gave me a look that said, "We've all been there. Do what you gotta do." So I went into the bathroom, calmly cooing to Z as she screamed. She screamed the entire time. You know that scream your kid makes when they get shots at the doctor? It was like that, amplified and bouncing off the tile walls. Pure hell. She calmed down once we got Scout out of the car and went for a walk, but my goodness. What a nightmare!

We're planning another big road trip in August (this time with the Hubs), so I feel like we are pretty prepared. I have to say though, using the baking sheet was a huge life-saver. Z was able to eat in the car without making a huge mess, and she laid the iPad on it while she watched movies.
Any great must-haves on your road trip list?

Month 24 Must-Haves

Ok, ok, so I'm waaayy behind on things. #bigsurprise I feel like, since the move, I just can't get into a rhythm. Our dining room is full of half unpacked boxes, I'm getting all soft and squishy from lack of exercise (although that is on it's way to changing!), and it's just so much more fun drawing Olaf in chalk on the back patio than anything that would be considered productive. Zoey is adding words to her repertoire daily ("shoe", "boon" (balloon), and "ucket" (bucket) all popped out in the last couple of days), and we've taken the front off the crib (giving that whole show a little more time before I post the details). So in the mean time (and while I eat a scoop of ice cream - did I mention I was squishy?), here are a few of our must-haves from the last few months...

1. Zoey loves puzzles, so we knew she'd go crazy for this alphabet puzzle.  Lately, she pulls it out every day, "names" the letters and puts each one back in place. I'd love to brag about how my two-year-old knows all 26 of her letters, but I'd be a big fat liar. Unless calling each one "I" or "B" counts. 

2. We've been giving Zoey these GoGoSqueez applesauces since way back. Easy to throw in the bag as an emergency snack, or add to a lunch. We love them!

3. So what if Little People today look nothing like the choking hazards we played with as kids? Same fun + less dangerous = an essential must-have! Plus, this little house makes the sound of a toilet flush. Win! 

4. Who doesn't love sidewalk chalk? 

5. This Radio Flyer Tricycle is a classic and Z loves hers. At our old house, she rode it in circles around the pool. Now we don't have enough paved space out back for her to ride, and we don't have a sidewalk on our side of the street, so she rolls around inside at top speed, where there's plenty of space. And the little trunk on the back is perfect for carrying remotes, spatulas, rocks, and all the other random little items a toddler picks up.

6. You guys know we love books around here, so it's always difficult to pick for the must-haves.  This time was pretty easy--picked the two books we read the most often...for the last four months! Extra Yarn might just be my most favorite picture book, ever! I can't put my finger on it's greatness...the illustrations are sweet (it's a Caldecott Honor book), and the story is fun to read out loud. Plus it has magical powers: it calms a fuss session down every time without fail. Angelina Ballerina is a great book for any little dancer. And it has such a great message: if you work hard, you're dreams will come true!

Reading Extra Yarn on one of our many looonnng trips to Virginia. 

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned Zoey's rock box, and some of you asked about it. It's just a plastic lidded bin from the dollar store that I filled with a (cleaned & rinsed) bag of pea gravel. Sand boxes are so messy, so I liked this solution much better. Z has a ball filling buckets, cups and her little dump truck with the rocks, and I love that sand isn't tracked in through the house.

I'm sure I could add a bunch more to the must-haves for the last six months. The iPad, the Frozen soundtrack, Olaf anything, the Magna Doodle, bracelets, things that can be worn as bracelets, tutus, books, rocks, measuring cups, and big sticks that can used to whack dandelion puffs. Such random, random things! 

Month Eighteen Must-Haves

Happy September, friends! I don't know about you guys, but I've got an overwhelming urge to light a pumpkin spice candle and start decorating for fall. Too bad the tremendous heat outside is keeping me firmly planted in summer. Boo! 

So instead of breaking out pumpkins and pinecones, here's a few of our must-haves from the last couple of months. So hard to even wrap my brain around the fact that my little ladybug is 18 months old. Crazytown! 

1. Mighty 4 bars: Made by Plum Organics, these are like NutriGrain bars for toddlers. And they're delish. We don't serve too many "toddler foods".  Z gets regular people food (for lack of a better term) for the most part, but these are great for the diaper bag, or when you're about to head out the door and your kid needs to get their snack on quickly.
2. Pa Rum Pum Drum: Love, love this! We have a very musical kiddo, and these instruments are so fun and cute. Plus, they all store inside the drum, which is nice, with plenty of room for all of the other random stuff a toddler will toss in (socks, blocks, snack bowls).  (B. Brand toys are often on sale at Target, so check them out first!)
3. Finger Crayons: The fat bottoms of these crayons are perfect for toddler hands that aren't quite ready for Crayolas. Z figured out that they stack together nicely, too.
4. Mega Blocks: We love building with these guys. The Hubs and I were both big Lego fans as kids, so we love that Z seems to enjoy them as well.
5. Beaba Spoons & Forks: Perfect for learning. A lot of the toddler utensils are useless. The spoons are always flat and the forks won't pick anything up. But these have a nice spoony-ness to them and the forks are nice and forky. They're a little pricey, but worth it if you think of how often they get used.
6. Knuffle Bunny: I love me some Mo Willems! The pigeon books are hilarious, and this one is just as cute and funny. And, it cracks my kid up, which is always a bonus. I got My First Farm tabbed board book on a whim at Target. We're not big farm folks, but Z loves animals, so I thought she'd like it. Boy, does she! Ironically, though, her favorite page is the one with all the fruits & veggies. She'll point to something and I'll name it. Lately, she can even point out the bananas and blueberries when asked!
7. Water Table: We have a total water baby on our hands, so it's not surprising that splashing around with this was going to be something Z enjoyed. I can see this being a favorite for a few years to come.

Any must-haves out there that I've missed? We're always looking for new ideas! 

Month 15 Must-Haves

It seems like once your kiddo turns one, there isn't a ton of change in the toys getting played with or the stuff we find useful as parents. It also seems like, after the fifteen month mark, it's time to get a bunch of new stuff! I'm looking forward to puzzles, a water table, and I'm planning to DIY a rock box. But that's all for the next must-haves list. Here's our list for months 13 thru 15:

1. Activity Walker: Z got this as a Christmas gift, but wasn't quite ready for it until a couple of months later. Now, she'll but random stuff in the little basket and walk the thing all over the place. The activities on the front are fun, too!
2. Sandals: Once the weather started warming up a few months back, I began the search for some cute and sturdy sandals that didn't cost a billion dollars. I love, love Saltwater Sandals, but for this age, I just didn't want to shell out the bucks. Maybe when she's older. That's why I was super excited to find these at the Children's Place. They're way cute and have a nice thick rubber sole. Perfect for a kid who wants to do nothing but walk all. day. long.
3. Snack Cups: These snack cups are great and they seriously reduce the numbers of Cheerios loose in the car seat.
4. Hug Time is definitely on Z's Most Often Requested list. It's gotta have the cutest illustrations ever, and is probably the only children's book to mention a gnu.  Baby Woof Woof! has pictures of different baby animals, not just dogs like the title suggests, but Z goes crazy for the dachshund puppy on the first page every time!
5. Ball Ramp: We love this one! The balls have "sprinkles" in them that Z likes to shake before she drops them in the ramp. She also likes to pull off the top level and carry it around. No clue why.
6. Stacking Bowls: These guys have made the must-haves list before, but lately, Z is actually stacking them and putting them together as balls. It's pretty cool to see her rediscover old toys as she grows.

Month Twelve Must-Haves

1. Baby Chuck Taylors: Z is getting ready to start the whole walking thing, so we thought it was time to get some real shoes on her feet. The Hubs and I were both totally against butterfly appliqués and pink sparkles (not a lot of pink happening in our family), which flood the market for toddler girl shoes. So just like Momma, Z now rocks the Converse. She loves wearing her shoes and so far, has done really well with the laces.

2. Sensory Balls: These balls are so much fun! They bounce and roll really well, and are apparently lots of fun to chew on. They also look just like one of Scout's dog balls, which was promptly hijacked by Baby Tuna. It's her's now and Scout seems ok with it. What a great big sister!

3. Boogie Wipes: These are essential! They will get crusted crud off little faces so easily and are the only thing to get peanut butter/hummus/fruit out of baby hair without leaving it stiff and funky. Zoey also likes to clean her tongue with them. That's normal, right?

4. For weeks, Forget-Me-Not Friendship Blossoms was the only book Baby Tuna wanted to read before nap time. The story is sweet, but the illustrations are even sweeter. Z hurries me through the story until Cherry the Giraffe makes her appearance. And who doesn't love Guess How Much I Love You? This book is a special one for the Hubs and I, and was one of the first we bought for the nursery before Z was born. It's a classic and she loves it!

5. Whale Spout Cover: With Z crawling all over the tub at bath time, it's nice having at least one hazard eliminated. Plus, it's way cute.

6. Melissa & Doug Piano: Some friends of ours gave Z this little piano for Christmas and she immediately loved it. She'll crawl over to it and play, then stop for applause, and go back to playing. It might be one of the cutest things ever!! Obviously, she is naturally gifted.

What about you guys? Any favorites for a new one-year-old that you consider must-haves?

Month Eleven Must-Haves

1. Fisher Price Stacking Cups: This is one of Z's favorite Christmas gifts. She only just started actually stacking them (technically that's during her twelfth month, though), her favorite thing to do is to knock them down. They make a ton of noise as they clatter around on the tile, which really delights her. They not only stack like in the picture, but they fit inside of each other as bowls, and two can join together to make a ball. 

2. Pee-a-Boo Forest: This soft book is so cute, and the crackle fabric inside each page makes a ton of sound. I don't know if Z is unique, but I'm guessing that babies this age really dig noisy toys! 

3. Boon Tub Appliques: We're big fans of Boon products around here, and the bath toys might just be our favorite yet. They're a thick foam that sticks to the tile, tub, and baby, and they're magically resistant to scuz. 

4. Walrus Bath Toy Storage Bag: All those fun bath toys have to live somewhere, and since we're renters, we didn't want a scoop basket that stuck to the tile with adhesive. This guy is perfect! It attaches with some kind of super suction cup and hasn't fallen, even when full of stuff. The whole front and bottom are mesh, so everything drips dry. 

5. Zany Zoo: This is probably the biggest hit from Z's Christmas loot. She spends most of her time cruising around and around it, stopping to play with the beads on top or the activities on the side or to stack her other toys on top, then she goes right back to traveling around it. It's heavy enough that she can pull up on it (when it's on the rug) and it won't tip or tilt, which is nice. 

6. Z has really gotten into her books lately, yanking them off the shelf or out of the basket and flipping through the pages all. by. herself. These are two of her favorites. I bought You Are My Cupcake before the babe was even born, just because I thought it was so darn cute. She wasn't into it until this past month. The pages all have a little texture to them and the illustrations are very colorful. When I was a kid, I remember loving Richard Scarry's books. There was always so much to look at in each illustration, and Lowly Worm was my favorite with his one red sneaker and his apple car. I couldn't resist Cars and Trucks From A to Z as Z's first R.S. book. I can't wait to add more books to her collection! 

7. iHome Speaker Dock: When our noisy new neighbors moved in a bit ago, it became obvious that our old speaker wasn't gonna cut the mustard anymore. It's perfect for traveling and really did the trick when Z was in the hospital post surgery, but it just didn't get loud enough to drown out all of the door slamming and dog yapping. So, after some research (you know how we do things around here), and a recommendation from another blogger, we chose this guy. Not only is it a pretty decent speaker, but it lights up in all different colors - not something we really utilize too much yet, but I think the bambino will really appreciate it when she's a bit older. I downloaded the least annoying white noise track I could find (since we would be hearing it over the monitor every night), set it to repeat, and never looked back. Now the new neighbors can slam their car doors till their little hearts' content and the baby won't even stir. Hallelujah! 

Months Nine & Ten Must-Haves

I have to admit, the must-haves for months nine and ten have been a bit tricky. We really held off on buying any new toys, since Santa would be visiting right after the babe hit the ten month mark, and these two months are really so similar developmentally. We pretty much spent our time on tooth-watch, trying new finger foods, and holding our breath while Baby Tuna pulled up on anything that would stand still (and even one furry, four-legged thing that wouldn't). She was content to throw toss play with all of her old favorites, so there really isn't anything new in that department.

I really think Z would add mirrors, electrical cords, catalogs, refrigerator magnets, the dog, remotes, and mommy's laptop to the list if it were up to her. But since it isn't, here are a handful of things we were happy to have during Z's ninth and tenth months.

1. Britax Boulevard Convertible Carseat: After our road trip to North Georgia in October, one thing was abundantly clear, Z was more than ready for a big girl carseat. We ordered this puppy the day we got home, and thanks to Amazon Prime, it was in the car two days later. It came highly recommended by other mommies and gets great reviews and ratings, so I felt good about getting one. It doesn't overwhelm the backseat of my car (a VW Rabbit - not huge by any means) but Baby Tuna seems really comfortable.

2. Turtlemeter: Like most parents, we are always afraid of scalding our little lady's delicate bits in the bathtub, but no one likes a cold bath. Enter the Turtlemeter. He lights up green when the temps are just right (and displays the actual water temp), blue when the water's too cold, and red when it's a danger zone. Plus, this guy's fun to play with and talk to. 

3. Fresh Food Feeder: We got a few of these at our baby shower, and some of my friends swore by them. But Z wasn't sharing in their enthusiasm, no matter what kind of stuff I shoved in there. Sometime in the middle of month nine, she cracked her first tooth and finally couldn't get enough of these things. Apple chunks, frozen banana, both big hits. They're a bit of a mess to clean out, but they were the one thing that gave the Hubs and I some time to eat our dinners in peace.

4. Hooded Towels: We've used hooded towels from bath #1, but the Circo animal towels from Target are probably my favorite. They're way too big for a ten month old, but they're sooo soft and hold up well to washing. (a lot of our others are falling apart at the seams) They cost a bit more than I would normally spend on a baby towel, but if you keep an eye on Target's weekly ads or use the Cartwheel ap, you can catch a good deal. 

5. Cheerios: AKA: Baby Crack, AKA: That Thing Crusted On My Shirt, AKA: That Stuff Lodged Between Our Sofa Cushions.

6. Silicone Bibs: Baby Tuna isn't used to wearing these yet, but I love them! They're super easy to clean and the pouches are huge. 

7. City Mini GT: I included this guy a few months ago and I love it so much, here it is again. As I mentioned above, I drive a small car, a hatchback actually. And because our house is kind of small, too, GT lives in my trunk. I use it every morning on my run/walks (even though it's not officially a jogging stroller, but since I'm not officially a runner, I figure it's OK.) and can pull it out of my car and unfold it while holding the baby, a Tervis of H2O, and my cell. And with the yank of one handle in the seat, it folds like a taco and slides right back in the car. 

I always try to include a book or two each month, but this time, though I tried and tried to read Christmas books to her every day, Z was obsessed with only one book...Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, which was on our Must-Haves list a couple of months ago. The kid can't get enough of this book. It's the one she will usually pick to read before a nap, and without that book, I never would have been able to take a New Year's picture. Ob-sessed!

Month Eight Must-Haves

Z has really been enjoying all of her old favorite toys lately, so there haven't been many new purchases in the toy department. We have, however, been trying out all sorts of new stuff when it comes to feeding. Here are some of our essentials from the last month.

1. Honest Company: You may be familiar with Jessica Alba's Honest Company. Plant-based, eco-friendly, family-friendly, wallet-friendly products from cleaning to baby care. The prices are comparable with what you'd find elsewhere, and there's free shipping on orders over $50. We've had Z in the biodegradable Honest diapers (cuz there was no way in hay-ell I was gonna deal with cloth diapers) since she was a newbie, and loved them so much, we branched out to their cleaning products for the kitchen, floors, and bathroom, as well as bubble bath, and I'm thinking of adding more! Everything smells so amazing and I don't worry about Baby Tuna licking the tile floors anymore (she's so weird!). And, much to my excitement, they just brought back the strawberry diaper pattern in time for our most recent shipment!! Check them out...you won't be sorry!

**Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement. Honest Company is not a sponsor of this blog (although I'd be thrilled if they were!). They have no idea who I am, I just love their products that much!!

2. Bumkins Bibs: These bibs are awesome! They are made of a thin vinyl and are nice and wide. There's a big ol' pocket at the bottom to catch wayward treats, and they rinse (and machine wash) nicely. We love them!

3. Plum Organics Super Puffs: We are huge fans of Plum and Z loves her puffs. They dissolve super quickly so there's zero worry about choking, and they help baby learn to pick up small things with her  thumb and index finger. Also...they're yummy! (Yes, I share puffs with Z. I'm that kind of momma!)

4. Hyland's Teething Tablets: God bless 'em!

5. Playtex First Sipster: These were given to me by a momma who knows, and she was right. They are perfect for a little one to learn on. Z's usually end up in a pile of toys on the rug and have yet to leak. She tosses them around after drinking, chews on the handles, and drums on the bottom. My only complaint is that the lid is a bit tough to get off, but since that's helping to prevent leaks, I'm willing to overlook that.

6. Boon Bath Squirts: When you start thinking about what might be growing inside your kid's favorite bath toys, you start looking for an alternative. These are a must-have because they unscrew, so you can be sure all of the water comes out. No bacteria-laden crud living inside these guys, which is a good thing since my kid uses them as bath time teethers.

7. Leap Frog Discovery House: This is one of the few new toys that we've purchased recently. Like most kids her age, Baby Tuna loves that it plays music, makes noises, and talks. She hasn't figured out how to manipulate every aspect of it yet, but loves turning the bathtub handle and playing with the birds on the roof, making them tweet. I can see this one being a favorite for a while.

8. These are Z's favorite books from her Halloween shelf this month. Little Owl's Night isn't really Halloweeny, and won't be put away after the holiday since the whole family loves it. The illustrations are way cute, and it tells a sweet story about what it's like at night for the little nocturnal owl.  Ghosts in the House looks like an old book, but isn't. I love the retro illustrations and the cute little witch and her cat.

Month Seven Must-Haves

Here we go again! It's crazy how fast the months go by! 

1. Fisher Price Click 'n Learn Remote: Why are babies so attracted to remotes? Z was always trying to get at ours, so we knew this would be perfect. The moment we turn it on and the red light flashes, her face lights up. And of course, it's good for chewing on, too. (Isn't everything?!)

2. Suction Toy: Now that Baby Tuna is sitting in high chairs at restaurants, this toy may be the greatest thing ever. It sticks to most table tops and will keep her occupied forever. Now if someone would just explain to my why restaurant high chairs are so low...

3. B. One Two Squeeze Blocks: Perfect for little hands to grab, for little mouths to chew, and for mommies to build into towers. Plus, the sound they make when squeezed makes the dog act crazy. Worth. every. penny.

4. Johnson & Johnson Hand & Face Wipes: These are perfect for cleaning of teethers or binkies when they hit the floor at the mall, and for cleaning up after a feeding. Super soft and smell nice, too. We keep a pack in the kitchen, in the nursery, and in the diaper bag. 

5. Lifefactory Silicone Teether: We got these a couple of months ago, but Baby Tuna wasn't really interested until recently, when her teething was kicked up a notch (or ten). Now, I make sure there is always one nearby. It's easy for her to grab and hold with both hands, and I can stick it on my wrist if we go somewhere without the diaper bag. 

6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Two of the best read alouds, and two of Z's favorites from very early on. She's been really into both of them lately, and I never get tired of reading either one. 

7. Infantino Cart & Highchair Cover: I was a little hesitant to buy one of these things, even though I knew they are a must (especially if you don't want your kid sucking on the shopping cart handle the whole time you're in Publix. Ick.). It's just that so many of them are so ugly, or so gender specific (we're not big fans of loud pink prints.). And to get a cute one on etsy was going to cost more than I was wanting to spend. This one is affordable, washes nicely, and fits carts and highchairs everywhere I've been so far. Even better, it's got an orange and blue thing happening (Go Gators!). 

8. Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack: A classic. Enough said. 

Month Six Must-Haves

Another month, another list of must-haves. Baby Tuna's sixth month on this planet has been chock full of milestones, and most of these must-haves have really been...well...must-haves. Obvi. So with month six being full of teething, sitting up, crib-sleeping, and puree-eating (and pooping), here's what we couldn't do with out this past month. 

1. Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail: Of course, we've been using this guy since day one, but it wasn't until the babe started eating oatmeal and purees (and "pooping like a human", as the Hubs says) that I really started to appreciate it. See, the nice thing about newborn poo is that it doesn't really smell too terrible. Fast-forward to the introduction of purees, and you're dab smack in the middle of Stink Town! It's pretty disgusting amazing, actually.  We keep this pail in the open part of Z's closet, and I never smell one hint of a whiff of ickiness. There are little Arm & Hammer air fresheners that are placed inside, and as long as you change it every so often, the nursery will keep smelling fresh.

2. Skip Hop Hug & Hide Owl: A favorite at playtime. The wings crinkle, the baby owl squeaks, different things to chew on. All of that is great, but Z's favorite thing...beating on it to hear the chime inside.

3. Snuzza Halo Monitor: Thanks to this little monitor (it's about two inches tall), the Hubs and I can actually get a peaceful night's sleep (provided Baby Tuna is also sleeping). Because she likes to sleep on her face, we were always panicked about SIDS. This guy clips onto her diaper and measures breathing movement. If it doesn't detect any, it'll vibrate to wake her up and alarm to wake us up. There are other monitors out there that do something similar, but use a pad that is placed under the sheet. Since our kid moves all over the place, we wanted something that moves with her.

4. Aden & Anais Security Blankets: When Z moved into her crib to sleep, we wanted to give her something to snuggle if she needed to, especially since Woobie couldn't be in the crib with her. They are lightweight muslin, so we don't worry too much when she pulls it over her face. She'll chew on it, snuggle with it, and play with it. So cute!

5. Fisher Price Block Sorter: This was one of the first big kid toys we bought for Z, knowing she wouldn't be able to do much sorting. But she loves these blocks, and not just to chew on. I'll build a tower and she has a little too much fun knocking it down. Her favorite thing to do is dump out the blocks, and drum on the bottom of the bucket.

6. Click, Clack, Moo & I Love My Daddy: Of course books keep showing up on the must-haves list! Baby Tuna LOVES her books! We read many times throughout the day (would you expect any less from a former teacher?!). These two have been in heavy rotation this last month. Click, Clack, Moo is a favorite from my classroom. The mooing usually gets a giggle out of her. We have other books in the series, but this one might be her fave. I Love My Daddy is a pre-nap favorite. The illustrations are so sweet, and since she's a total Daddy's Girl, it's an obvious must-have!

7. Plum Organics: When we started Z on purees, this was the brand we chose. They taste so good (yes, I taste everything before Z does!) and are super convenient. I also love that, if you're feeling lazy, you can just squirt it onto the spoon and not have to deal with a bowl.

Month Four and Five Must-Haves

Well, with all that was going on right after Baby Tuna hit her four month birthday, I totally spaced on doing a must-haves posting. Oops! So here are our favorite things for the last two months. They pretty much overlapped anyway, so that really worked out. 

1. Abby Cadabby: The babe and I watch bits and pieces of Sesame Street almost every day. This kid has loved it from very early on. And thank goodness, cuz I love it too! I have to say, it's pretty obvious which character is her fave. Abby Cadabby makes her face light up. It's pretty cute. In fact, the Hubs was completely suckered into buying her an Abby doll a few weeks ago when she went completely bananas for it in Nordstrom. When she sees it sitting on the dining table, she giggles. Adorable!

Love for Abby Cadabby

2. Books: Maybe it's because I was once a teacher, maybe it's just because there are so many great read aloud books out there. We do a lot of reading. These are three of our favorites right now. Giraffes Can't Dance and Fancy Nancy are fun to read aloud, and Z loves the super detailed illustrations in both. If I Were an Owl is one of those books with different textures on each page. And since I love owls, I couldn't pass it up.
3. Original Sophie and Sophie Teether: Teething has begun in our house. Still waiting for the actual teeth to show up, but the drool is unbelievable and Z puts everything in her mouth. I make sure we have both of these nearby at all times. They are soft and cute, and the Original has a very gentle squeak (although ours sounds a little asthmatic from being run through the dishwasher once a week.). A bit pricey, but worth every single penny! If you still aren't convinced, check out this video all about Sophie.
4. Jellycat Soother: I have written many times about Z's Woobie and Woofie, and one of them shows up in the majority of pics we take of the babe. This is Woofie. So soft and snugly and just the right size for a little one. Plus, I can throw it in the washer when it starts to get funky. Bonus!
5. Infantino Jingle: This was a random purchase from Target, and I have to say it was one of the best impulse buys I've made in a long time. This guy's ears are nice and chewable, he hooks onto the car seat with a Velcro strap, and he makes the nicest jingle, hence the name. Plus: elephants and chevrons. What's not to love?
6. Graco Sound Machine: We purchased this little sound machine when Z was in the hospital to take away from the sounds of the PICU. It plays white noise and classical music, but the best part is that it's also an iPod speaker. There is also a blue night light that is perfect for middle of the night diaper changes.
7. F.P. Go Wild Jumperoo: A few weeks before Z's surgery, we thought the babe was ready for a little more activity. She's such a squirt, she had to stand on a dictionary (actually, she still does...it gives her the best jump). But she loves this thing! It's really helped her regain strength in her legs, and its been fun to watch her discover all the things it can do.

Month Three Must-Haves

It's so amazing that another month has flown by! It has been so much fun watching Baby Tuna grow and change this month. And, as much as I would love for her to have stayed a snuggly little newborn, I'm loving the goofy personality that has been emerging in the last few weeks. Here's some of our favorites from the last month.

1. Aden & Anais Sleep Sack: Now that the babe is sleeping flat, and grabbing everything she can get her hands on and pulling it up to her face, we put her in a sleep sack every night. We have a few different kinds, but the Aden & Anais are my favorite. Same lightweight muslin as the blankets, and they are longer than the other brands, which is perfect for Baby Tuna and her restless limbs.

2. O-Ball: I saw this in the bin at Target and thought it looked like something baby girl would have fun trying to put in her mouth (cuz, let's face it, from now on, EVERYTHING is going in her mouth!). And, well, the only negative I can come up with is that both the babe and the pup like to put it in their mouths. Let's just say that it's spent some time in the dishwasher!

3. Ring o' Links: This is perfect for the new grabber in the family. This toy was the first solid object Zoey could wrap her little fingers around. We always keep this close by, hooked to the carseat, thrown in the diaper bag, on the floor for tummy time. It's definitely a favorite!

4. Tommee Tippee Bibs: My kid might be the world's messiest eater. We go through A LOT of bibs. These are great because they have a ring around the collar that absorbs all of the dribbles.

5. Goodnight Moon: A childhood bedtime staple.

6. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag: We must have looked at a zillion diaper bags. The perfect one had to be cute, but not too cute. It couldn't be too girly, or too big. And since I thrive on organization, pockets and compartments were a must. This bag checks off all of those, and it hangs nicely off the handlebar of the stroller with special clips.

7. Prince Lionheart BebePOD: So much cuter than the Bumbo, and with better leg openings for those chubby little baby thighs. We chose the watermelon, but it also comes in kiwi and orange slice, too. I first put Baby Tuna in this about a month ago, and she loooved it! Our kiddo is so ready to sit up on her own, so she loves being in her big girl chair.


And now...

Month Two Must-Haves

Well, we've made it through month two (and then some)! It has not been an easy two months, but I think we're starting to get into a bit of a groove. (Read about it in the Two Month post.) Baby Tuna grows and changes every day and continues to amaze us. Here's some of the things that made Month Two a little easier.

1. Baby Jogger City Mini GT: I love this stroller! It turns on a dime, folds in half with the pull of one strap, and rolls easily over the lousy uneven sidewalks in our neighborhood. The best part, it easily fits in the back of my VW Rabbit...with room to spare, which isn't true of other strollers. It is a splurge, yes, but will last as she grows and can go pretty much anywhere. 

2. Jaques the Peacock: This is one of Baby Tuna's favorite toys during tummy time. His colors catch her eye, he has crinkly wings and a squeaky spot that drives Scout bananas, and Z will babble to him while she tries to roll over. We also have the firefly, but if it were up to me, we'd have the entire collection. They are so cute! 

3. Snugabunny Swing: Baby Z wasn't completely sold on this swing when we first got it, and it doesn't calm her when she's fussy like it does many other babies, but she does nap nicely in it during the day. She will also hang out in the swing, happily gazing up at herself in the little mirror, when I need to take a potty break or prepare a bottle. It swings a little "aggressively" for my taste, but we hang a blanket off the edge and it slows down nicely. 

4. Whale of a Tub: Baby Tuna loves her baths these days, and has even started kicking and splashing (early training for the Summer Olympics 2030). It fits nicely on the kitchen counter and has a little booty bumper to keep the kiddo in place. It also comes with a cute orange fishy cup that is perfect for rinsing out the shampoo. (Thanks Auntie Susan!!) 

5. Medela Pump In Style Advanced: I never thought I'd end up even needing a pump, but now that I am pumping exclusively (more on that later), this puppy is getting a ton of use. It comes with a nifty little cooler and a bag to carry the pump, cooler, and all the pieces parts when we travel. Worth the money if you plan to do a lot of pumping. 

6. Olivia: Who doesn't love that sassy little pig?! 

7. Avent Natural Bottles: We originally purchased these bottles to help lower the chances of the dreaded nipple confusion when I was still nursing. It must have worked, cuz we never had a problem with that. The best part is that they are easy to clean since they don't have a zillion little parts.

8. Very Hungry Caterpillar Rattle: Baby Tuna love loves the Very Hungry Caterpillar! The book is one of her faves and so is this rattle. Plus, it's way cute! 

9. Jack Johnson: I first discovered Jack Johnson a hundred years ago when I first heard Brushfire Fairytales. My love for him remains pure and true to this day. I celebrate the man's entire catalog. (Yep. I just rocked your world with an Office Space reference) So what's he doing on our must-haves list? Well, he is one of our go-tos for calming the babe when she's gone truly bonkers. She also falls asleep to his music from time to time. We try to mix it up when it comes to music, but the babe and I could listen to Jack all day long. Some of Zoey's other favorites for calming/sleep time are Norah Jones, Iron & Wine, and the Pandora Lullaby station. She also digs the Pandora Raffi station during playtime.


And with all of that out of the way, here's a bit of what you all came for:

The kid just moments before a big roll over. And how cute are those bubble shorts?!

These two are nothin' but trouble! And see what I mean about the babe in constant motion? It's ridiculous! 

I know, right?!

Month One Must Haves

As any new mommy will tell you, the first month with your new babe can be rough. We are all just getting to know each other and trying to figure things out. (Check out our One Month Old posting) For those getting ready to experience the hardest and most wonderful (that could be the sleep deprivation talking. . . Haha!) month, here are some of the things that have made life a little easier around our house.

Boon Grass Drying Rack: Not only will this hold and air dry all those breast pump and bottle parts, but it's super cute, too!
Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets: These may be the most frequently recommended baby item out there, and for good reason. They are the best! Cute, lightweight (key when you live in South Florida), and big enough to create the perfect baby burrito. We also use them for tummy time, as stroller blankets to help keep the babe hidden from cooties and the sun, and as emergency burp cloths. Get more than one set. . .you won't be sorry.
Crane Humidifier: We set this up in our room when the babe sounded congested during the second week home. Now we all are breathing more clearly, even Scout.
Boppy: Essential for breastfeeding and for snuggling the baby when you need to give your arms some support. Also good for propping babe up or for short naps. We ordered a super soft cover here.
Snuggabunny Bouncer: For the last few weeks, this has been the only place that Baby Tuna will sleep, besides in our arms. We are working on transitioning her out of it, but for now, whatever works. We were also just gifted the matching swing, which the babe also finds comfy.
Little Tummys Gas Relief Drops: Our poor, sweet babe has horrible gas. Gas so bad she wakes up shrieking from the pain, which is super fun for us. The pediatrician recommended we try these, and we are so glad we did. Baby Tuna's gassy shrieks have now turned into moans, which is a huge improvement.
Babyganics Foaming Hand Sanitizer: I love this stuff! It may be the first hand sanitizer that does not dry out my germaphobic husband's hands. It's unscented, alcohol free, and in every room of our house (and in the diaper bag!).
Nuk OrthoStar Pacifiers: Baby Tuna doesn't always want a binky (as we call them in our house), but when she does, this is what soothes her. She finds them especially nice after her hissy fits as we put her in the car seat. Always does the trick.
Wee Gallery Cards: Baby Tuna loves gazing at these high contrast black and white animal cards. They make a variety of sets, but she especially likes the sea animals collection.
Peg Perego Infant Car Seat: Although the babe hates being put into her car seat, she's usually pretty cozy once she settles down. I'll admit that it is a little heavy, but I really like the black on black polka dot pattern. So much better than the horrible patterns and color schemes (why is all baby girl stuff pink?) on some of the other infant seats.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Wash: I have been a big fan of Burt's Bees products for years, and swear that their belly butter kept my belly stretch mark free. So it only seemed natural that we would use their Baby Bee line for our babe. It keeps her skin soft and hydrated and smells delicious. The only issue. . . Scout constantly wants to lick the honey smell off the little one's hands and head.

I should tell ya that this list doesn't include some of the obvious essentials. Things like diapers and wipes, ointment, and a breast pump. But in case you're at all interested, we use Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive diapers, Pampers Sensitive wipes, A & D Ointment, and the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. We also like the Avent Natural bottles for feeding expressed milk.

And now a little gratuitous Zoey love!

Pregnancy Must Haves

Sure, the needs of a preggo change from trimester to trimester (even day to day), but there are some things that a pregnant lady will latch on to for the duration of her pregnancy. Here are a few of mine...

1. Tervis Tumbler: The Hubs calls this my "sippy cup," and it is never more than a few feet from me at all times. Because you have to drink about 9 gallons of water a day, it's nice having a cup or mug or whatever that keeps ice and water cold for a long time. Tervis tumblers are especially nice because there are a zillion designs (I am partial to the Gator patch, of course) and they are easy to find.

2. Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bars: Of course, in my third trimester, my obsession with strawberries has been no secret, but in my first trimester, these fruit bars were pretty much my only source of fruit. They're nice and sweet and have big chunks of strawberries. So if you are on an all bread diet in your first trimester, these are a refreshing, kinda healthy (and non-pukey) treat.

3. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter: This stuff is the shit! For those of us who are worried about stretch marks but are also grossed out by the scent of cocoa butter, this is the best alternative. It has shea butter and vitamin e and makes your belly so soft. The best part, no fragrance (well, the BEST part is that my belly is stretch mark free). And if you'd prefer to spend your money on cute outfits for your little darling, it's also more affordable than Mustella lotions (which have been highly recommended by a friend of mine).

4. Breathe Right: If you suffer from allergies, or get that pregnancy congestion, this is a life saver! I use one every night, which isn't cute (and leaves a slight red mark on my nose when I take it off), but I can breathe. . . and that's all that matters!

5. Honey Nut and Chocolate Cheerios: OB-sessed! I usually eat both every day, one for breakfast and one for a snack.

6. Life Savers Pep-o-Mints: Another flavor obsession for my entire pregnancy has been peppermint. For me, these really helped with my nausea in the first four months, but have continued to be a favorite. I keep a stash in my purse at all times.

7. Gap Sweatpants: Most of my maternity clothes have come from the Gap and Old Navy (always a great sale going on!!), but these sweatpants are my uniform! They are not maternity, but are low rise, so they fit nicely under the belly. They also come in lots of colors and are super comfy!

8. Body Shop Tea Tree products: When I found out I was expecting, my doctor asked me to stop using Proactiv because of the benzoyl peroxide it contains. I was crushed, cuz that stuff saved my skin after I went off birth control and turned into a pizza face. I went back to using these products from the Body Shop and have been pleased with the results. I still get the occasional pregnancy pimple, but overall, my skin has looked great.

One more Must Have that didn't make it in the collage above is this DVD: 10 Minute Solution: Prenatal Pilates. I love it! There are six or seven different 10 minute segments, so you can work out for 10 minutes, or put three together for a 30 minute workout. The instructor is something like 35 weeks pregnant herself, so you know it is gentle. If you've done pilates before, you will enjoy!