Stuff I Love

The birth story is coming, I promise. For now, a list of stuff me and the Bean (ie my 13 day old daughter who is growing up much too fast) love... because I always appreciated reading these lists while I was pregnant.

• Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets - but here's the thing... don't buy the Target ones, even though they are basically the same thing for way cheaper. The "real" ones are HUGE and are so good for swaddling, especially with flailing newborn arms and legs. The trick is to buy them on Amazon, where they are the full size ones for $10 cheaper (with free shipping) and use your SwagBucks. I scored a set of 4 full size blankets for $16 shipped thanks to Amazon/SwagBucks. Plus, these blankets are so soft once you wash them and they honestly do keep getting softer with each washing.

• Medela Nippleshield - The lactation consultant at the hospital set me up with these because of engorgement issues (you have never seen a huge boob until your milk comes in... trust me). These were basically a lifesaver and meant I didn't have to supplement with formula while I waited for the Bean to have something to latch on to. Engorgement is no joke, people. No joke, and it hurts.

• Kimono-style Bathrobe - I got mine on sale at Kohl's for $15, but it looks similar to this one. You will want one of these for the hospital... and then you will live in it while at home. The 3/4 sleeves are so clutch... it was perfect for while I was in the hospital for 5 days getting a new IV bag every 8 hours (long sleeves wouldn't have worked) and now that we're home, I love it because the shorter sleeves don't get in the Bean's face. The waffle knit is nice and light and the short length is perfect for just keeping covered up. I wear mine every single day over a nursing tank and lounge pants.

• Gilligan & O'Malley Nursing Tanks - I have 2 in size large and 2 in size XL, and I wear them every single day. The larges fit about a week and a half before I delivered, and then my boobs got huge, thus necessitating the XLs. I think after my supply regulates, the larges should fit again. Right now, I can wear them, but the inner sling part sticks out because of the huge boobness. I wear them to bed and save the better-fitting XLs for during the day. I wear them under the bathrobe every single day. They are so comfortable... loooooooove these. They do the trick, and so while I am lusting after a GlamourMom tank, these $17 tanks fit the bill.

• Old Navy Henley Top - On the occasion I have to leave the house (dr appt, etc), I throw this on over my nursing tank. The button placket is long enough that when I fully unsnap everything, I have plenty of room to pull the shirt to the side and feed the Bean. This way I don't have to actually remove my top to nurse, which is just less awkward for everyone. And by everyone, I just mean me, since I'm not into the nursing in public thing. I just can't get into it.

Other than these things, we're also loving our Pack n Play's newborn napper for daytime naps, the Canon Powershot SD1300 for snapping quick pics of our baby girl & the Flip Video for capturing her cute face in motion, and the Boppy for feedings. I realize none of this is earthshattering news, but who doesn't love a good Baby Stuff List??