Links + Loves: The Baby Edition

10.02.2016

*None of these are affiliate links. Mostly because I can't figure out how to do it and I'm lazy.

1) I bought these A-Z stroller cards for R to have when we go out on walks and runs. She seems to really enjoy flipping through them, and I think they're fun because each letter of the alphabet represents a literary character.

2) A blog friend, Leslie, recommended these disposable placemats, which are obviously not great for the environment but are pretty handy for when you're out to eat.

3) Now that R is walking, I love these corner protectors for our coffee table and other places where there is a danger of her falling and hitting her head on a sharp corner. They seem to stay in place pretty well so far!

4) This is R's favorite book. She will hold it out to me, and when I start reading, she smiles and starts clapping and dancing.

5) I bought R a pair of Freshly Picked Moccasins before she was born. It was actually the first thing I ever bought her. Since I didn't know if she was a boy or girl at that point, I bought a pair in a gender-neutral color. I know that FP are kind of a "cool" blogger baby shoe, and they are dang expensive for a baby who won't even wear them that long! But. I will tell you that 1) I bought hers during a sale so they were a bit cheaper and 2) I really love hers. I bought them in a size 3 because I read that she will be able to wear them for the longest period of time, and I am a fan. They are soft, comfortable (so it seems; I'm not wearing them obviously), and stay on her feet! If you are looking to splurge on something special, you might like these.

6) On my most recent plane flight with R, I brought my Iconoclast Diaper Bag with me and it was so incredibly handy. I especially loved the separate section for changing pad, wipes, and diapers, and the one-strap system worked perfectly for me as I carried R around the airport and on the plane.

7) R has been eating real food (i.e., not purees) for a while now, and we are obsessed with plastic silicone bibs with pockets. I wish I could find the exact one we have that we love so much, but here is something similar. We were using regular bibs for months until we discovered a pocket bib someone had gifted us sitting in the back of her closet. Game changer! Food falls in the pocket, not all over the floor, and they are so easy to clean up after a meal!

8) Speaking of meals, we are officially off bottles completely and are using only cups! These are our favorites. It took a bit for R to get the hang of it, and we do have other cups she uses too, but these are great. They don't spill easily, and she likes them. (For what it's worth, we hate these cups. I don't recommend them at all.)


9) A friend bought this name puzzle for R for her birthday, and I love it! It's such a creative and thoughtful gift, and I love that it's a toy and also a way for R to learn letters and her name.

10) Finally, I want to tell you about a new book I discovered: The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers. I received this book from Blogging for Books, and it's been so helpful! I really wish I would have had this sooner when R was even just a couple of months old. The book is organized into chapters by month, so there is a chapter on 0-3 months, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12, and the toddler years. Each chapter contains sections on expected developmental milestones, basic nutritional guidelines, medical concerns, and (my favorite) healthy recipes for that age range! In the toddler section, I have a recipe bookmarked for chicken chili and chicken-vegetable meatballs that I want to try out.


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Audrey Louise said...

I love those literary A to Z cards. Perfect for learning and inspiring some book love in children :) That monkey bib is the cutest!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

I'm going to need those A-Z cards! Also, question: When did you start trying to get her to drink out of a cup?

Nadine said...

I will have to put those cards, book and placemat on my list! I debated if I wanted to splurge on the FP shoes and you are making me want to! They are just so cute! I heard a lot of people say good things about the Munchkin cups. I will keep them on my list for later. There are so many kiddo things out there it is hard to decide which things to pick!

Laura Morgan said...

I liked this reusable placemat, and it has a catcher too. http://www.target.com/p/summer-infant-tiny-diner/-/A-16513861?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=&adgroup=&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9026223&gclid=Cj0KEQjwg8i_BRCT9dHt5ZSGi90BEiQAItdjpDqcp45RhSgvT6a601onNOOLDF0-xxO3nLLzsaoKxyQaAtaS8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

The faucets in our old house were hard for Ava to reach when she started brushing her teeth and washing her hands, so this little guy was awesome. http://www.target.com/p/aqueduck-faucet-extender-blue/-/A-51354389?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=&adgroup=&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9026223&gclid=Cj0KEQjwg8i_BRCT9dHt5ZSGi90BEiQAItdjpGwoAqyK_2M6QfcxgOBCzcejU3JBLG8IONS_0TwPtBAaAoQK8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ava is OBSESSED with her lift-the-flap body book from Usborne. She knows the names of lots of muscles and organs and body functions thanks to that. Thomas loves his age-appropriate Usborne books too.

I think I will have Barnyard Dance memorized forever. That Sandra Boynton knows how to write 'em!

Thomas's favorite thing right now might be the cabinet under my sink. I probably should have baby-proofed it long ago. Oops. There aren't too many things that will actually kill him—just a bunch of makeup and shower products that can make a huge mess.

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

This is fun!

I'm not a huge fan of corner guards but I might change my mind when I have kids. Let's be real, I worry so I'm sure I'll change my mind.

Those moccasins are super duper cute! I have bought my niece so many pairs of shoes it's ridiculous. Dave actually told me I wasn't allowed to anymore for a while. ha ha!

Anna said...

We LOVE Sandra Boynton books and Barnyard Dance is definitely a favourite.

I bought Parker some moccasins for Christmas last year that I think he might finally fit by now. I never bother with shoes so hopefully they still fit! Mocs are the cutest thing ever for babies.

I think I hate Tommee Tippee cups in general. We have the Munchkin 360, among every other style of cup imaginable, but Parker never figured it out. Another thing I should dig out and see if we have more luck with now.

I don't have any of those bibs, but I feel like they're a great idea. We have some of the ones with long sleeves and the soft pockets, but they're hit or miss when it comes to catching food. They're great for food that stains, though.

Courtney said...

We are Freshly Picked Moccasin fans through and through. (also they're great with collabs, so if you are needing the next size up, you should contact them about doing a review!) But, something that someone told me once is that the cheap baby moccasins made their little one have super stinky feet! Which their bare feet in shoes...that totally happens. But never with FP moccs. It's amazing.

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

I just love those moccasins. They are THE cutest :)

Erin LFF said...

I appreciate you sharing about those various cups you liked/disliked. We obviously have awhile, but it's always good to hear reviews from real people! That name puzzle is super adorable too, might use that for a couple of gifts this year!

The Lady Okie said...

A faucet extender! That is such a great idea!

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

My friend had those reusable placemats the other day when we were out. Thanks for reminding me to get them!

Maria said...

I bought my boss the moccasins for her baby girl and I get photos of her in them every other day :) Glad that they are a hit for everyone. I am in desperate need of new fall shoes and I really don't want to spend the money, yet it seems okay when they are for a baby. Makes no logical sense.

jaime said...

We have the "Going to Bed Book" which my son loved, and I'm hoping my daughter will love it just as much in a year or so. Our son has a pretty extensive library, and we were able to re-use his baby books for our daughter's room.

Oh and with him, I swore by Tommee Tippee sippy cups until they grew mold. It was disgusting and awful and just...so bad. Now I look for cups that have as few parts as possible. Green Sprouts makes a transitional cup (from bottle to sippy cup) that we'll probably use with our girl (it's a glass bottle, but surrounded by a plastic cover - our son used it.) Green Sprouts also happens to be a local company for me, so I can get items at their warehouse sales, which is nice.

Kaity B. said...

Love those stroller cards! Too cute!

erinhzauner said...

do you think that it's too late to babyproof a house when your child is over two and has been walking for a year and a half? asking for a friend. because those table corner things sound pretty great...and smart too.

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

well, i need those babylit stroller cards despite the fact that i don't have a child. i want everything babylit sells.

Julie @ Just the Joy's said...

I love these types of posts! I love learning about products/items that others have found to be working great for themselves/littles! I pretty much saved everything you listed. I think those stroller cards are great for even in the car! I give R a book and soon enough it's on the floor. Lol. I totally ordered those placements already because I think they would be great for saving our poor table. Between eating and coloring... the table takes a beating where R sits! I know they aren't environmentally friendly, but they sure are genius! Of course I'll do my best to reuse! We love the bibs with pockets and the 360 cups too! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful things! The newest thing we've found to be great is the nuby keepez strap so you can connect her cup to her chair/stroller/carseat or whatever rather than letting it fall to the ground. And these Melissa & Doug water learning activities (even though they say they are for 3+)

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