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!

One Month with Baby Tuna!

I can't believe this little girl is already a month old! In some ways it feels like it's been a minute since Zoey was born, and in other ways it feels like so much longer (especially around 4:00am!).  She has changed so much in the last four weeks, and the Hubs and I get better at this parenting gig every day. At least we think we do. Usually.

What a difference a month makes!!!

Here are Baby Tuna's stats:

Weight: She was born at 8 lbs even, weighed 7 lbs 11 oz when she was discharged from the hospital,  and is now up to 9 lbs 4 oz. She still weighs a whole pound less than my brother did when he was born!
Length: She was born at 20.5 inches and is still 20.5 inches. I kinda find it hard to believe that she hasn't grown in length in the last month, but she also doesn't make it easy to measure her since her legs are always in motion.
Head: Her noggin measured 13 inches at birth and is now up to 14.5 inches. She has also developed a  Conan O'Brien hairstyle, making me really wish I had some sassy headbands to help tame that mane. Gotta hop on Etsy and order some ASAP! And btw. . . her hair isn't really red, as the photo suggests. It's brown.
Loves: Sleeping on mommy's or daddy's chest, gazing out the windows, staring at black and white animal cards, being held, listening to music (especially Mumford and Sons, mommy's favorite. We listen to them during our middle of the night feedings), sleeping with her arms near her face, and moving her legs around. . . constantly. She also doesn't seem to mind when Scout gets a whiff of her Burt's Bees honey lotion and starts licking her all over.
Hates: being put in her car seat, getting the hiccups, being taken out of a warm bath (the jury is still out on the bath itself), and being swaddled, probably because she can't sleep with her arms near her face.
Nicknames: Peanut, Boo Boo, Baby Tuna, Zo, Monkey, Fussy Butt.
Milestones: She is starting to control her neck muscles a little bit, and can push herself up for tummy time, but only for 20 seconds or so. And well, she sort of rolled over, well, halfway over. And she was sound asleep when she did it. Does that count?

This little girl has changed everything, in all the best ways. And although this week she has started screaming bouts that feel like they go on forever and there is no way to shut her up calm her down, and although her gas is unbelievable and makes her super crabby, and although, because of those two things, I may not get to leave the house until she's six months old, we still think she's pretty perfect. We melt every time she purses her lips in a little kiss, every time she smiles in her sleep, every time she chirps like a little chipmunk. 

Kissy face

How could you not love that smoosh-face?!

Mmmm... smells like honey! 

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day gang!!! This is officially Zoey's first holiday, and although she won't be sipping any green beer, this year she's celebrating by watching a little SEC basketball (Go Gators!!), heading out for a stroll in this great weather, and chilling on the couch with daddy.

I do have to add that I was better prepared for this holiday, baby fashion-wise, but was not prepared to have a one month old still fitting in newborn-size clothes. About a month before the munchkin was born, I purchased a St. Patty's Day outfit in size 0-3 months, thinking that it would fit perfectly. Boy was I wrong!!

Who expected our kid to be such a munchkin??!!!

My mother-in-law also gave us an adorable St. Patty's outfit that included a tutu (I die for baby tutus!!) that ended up being way too huge. At this rate, maybe she can wear them next year!! I need to reevaluate her Easter outfits!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their St. Patrick's Day! May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back.