Mom Life

Amazon Mom: Is it worth it to Subscribe and Save?

I’m curious if any of you mommas out there buy into the “Amazon Mom”  program. To my understanding, the structure of the program has recently changed. What used to be a free year subscription, available to mothers (dads too!) is now only a 3-month trial offer. The Amazon Mom trial offer includes:

  • 20% off Select Diapers & Wipes with Subscribe & Save (automatic delivery)
  • Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime
  • Exclusive deals & promotions

So basically, once the 3-month trial period ends, you are automatically enrolled in Amazon Prime + Amazon Mom and charged $79 annually to enjoy the same benefits in addition to movie streaming & kindle books.

 Pampers Swaddlers Size 2, 186 ct. at Sam’s Club for $39.98 (21 cents per diaper)

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vs.

With Amazon Mom “20% off select diapers and wipes” (Free 2-day shipping)

Pampers Swaddlers Size 2, 204 ct. with Amazon Mom for $37.75 (19 cents per diaper) vs. $47.19 (23 cents per diaper)

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The savings difference is approximately $4.00. Annual Savings around $50… Only ordering diapers. But since you pay $79 to be annually enrolled (just like you purchase a membership to Sam’s or Costco) my gut tells me that it doesn’t make sense to enroll unless you’re planning to do all of your bulk goods shopping on amazon.com. (I could definitely buy these things in bulk: Jergen’s Natural Glow Lotion, Peet’s Major Dickason Coffee, Sea Salt Kettle Chips) In some ways, I think online warehouse shopping might help me exercise some self-restraint… I always come home from Costco/Sam’s $200+ later with items I had no intention or need for buying.

Any thoughts? Do you Subscribe & Save? Are you an Amazon Mom?

 Note: A 5% discount using “Subscribe & Save” is available (with Super Save Free Shipping) without Amazon Prime + Amazon Mom.

Reflection: Be Still

A few nights ago, after nursing my sweet Olivia, I let her snuggle up and drift off in my arms. (I usually try to put her down semi-awake, but sleepy – trying my hand at some “sleep training.”) Something about that day… we didn’t do anything special, just normal life. And then it dawned on me…THIS was a new normal and it had changed so much. It was just a little over a year ago that we shared the news of our pregnancy with our families. It’s so incredibly unbelievable how much has changed in our normal day-in, day-out lives. The thought is simply overwhelming to me. I’m reminded of how important it is to slow down and savor these moments because in the blink of an eye another year will have past.

In this new season of life, I’m finding it no easier to RELAX. I remember thinking that becoming a full-time, stay-at-home momma would alleviate so much of the stress I was accustomed to in the working world. Turns out, there are no fewer stressors in this “job.” I’m wired like my mother. I thrive on productivity, stress, and planning. Despite being an engrained part of my temperament, I recognize that I need to slow down, be still, and know that everything will be OK.  That I have a great designer. A more perfect planner than even me. “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

I am unspeakably thankful, eternally grateful. Incredibly Blessed.

Momma Meg Loves: The Dallas World Aquarium

Daniel and I first visited the aquarium when I came to visit just a few months after we started dating. We’ve since celebrated a few Birthdays and even a Valentine’s day there. Most recently, we celebrated our first Mother’s Day at the Dallas World Aquarium – where Daniel (+ Olivia) gifted me an annual pass.

December 2005 at The Dallas World Aquarium

Mother’s Day 2012

The Dallas World Aquarium Individual Pass $95 + One Non-Designated Guest $80  = $175 allows either our family (Kids under 3 are free!) or I can invite a friend, mom, etc. We decided that it would be best to invest in the extra $80 knowing that Olivia and I would go more often if we could invite friends. Become a Member Here. No matter what, the annual pass is the way to go at the DWA – General Admission tickets for adults are $20.95, Kids 3-12 are $12.95. As fabulous as it is, $20.95 is outrageous to visit the DWA once. Even the Ft. Worth Zoo is cheaper! At an average of 2 visits/month, each trip would cost $7.29.

  • The DWA is open 9:00AM-5:00PM daily. I’ve found that the best time to go (especially during the summer) to avoid the field trip and summer camp crowds is first thing in the morning when they open, or towards the end of the day (after 3:30PM) You can definitely see it all in a few hours, especially if you have a pass and don’t feel pressured to get your 20 bucks worth.
  • It’s VERY difficult to maneuver strollers (and wheelchairs) through the DWA so I usually make sure to have Olivia freshly fed and diapered when we arrive to avoid having to nurse or change her. Highly recommend baby wearing for this adventure + a backpack!
  • The only downside with the DWA pass is that it does NOT include free parking. Parking downtown (in the touristy West End District) can be pricey. Liv and I usually opt to take DART (The West End Station is just a few blocks from the DWA) adding only a few dollars to our visit cost.
  • Also – They sell beer.

Watching the Waterfall at The Dallas World Aquarium

Most Recently, we visited the DWA while Gramma G + Auntie Em were in town. My sister in law, Tricia, her two girls, Rylie (5) and Remie (5 weeks) and my darling granddad joined us. Liv always loves the manatees and the pengiuns. Oh! and the waterfall – she could sit and stare at it all day.

This is Liv’s “I love Manatees” face

At the DWA with Cousin Rylie

Baby Wearing at the DWA

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Momma Meg Loves: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

At about 6 months 6 Weeks pregnant, Daniel and I decided that I would NOT be returning to work after Olivia was born . We weren’t really sure how we were going to make it work… just that we both agreed that it was a) important for me to stay home with our new babe and b) that my measly little salary would barely cover quality childcare and therefore be no more practical than staying home and cutting costs. So here I am… full-time, stay-at-home momma… lookin’ for cheap… or better yet, FREE, things to do.

I’m considering starting a summer series on baby-friendly adventures under $10/day. Consider this the first edition.

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When my mom was here after Olivia was born (around 5 weeks) she bought me an annual pass to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens – Become a Member Here. Our family pass  was $109 and includes admission for 6 individuals, not living under the same roof, for one year, free parking, discounted concert tickets for Chihuly Nights concert series, various discounts at the gift shops, restaurants, and local nurseries. Liv and I have easily been two dozen times in the past 4 months. She LOVES being outside (mentioned here) so most of the time we just pack a picnic and park ourselves on a blanket next to the Koi pond or water walls and just relax. (I’m that lucky one that has the baby who will happily lay still and thoughtfully gaze up at the trees or sky #naturebaby) Tickets for adults are $15.00, so after 8 visits, the family pass has paid for itself. With the exception of the past month (it’s been unbearably hot to go during the day) the arboretum has been my go-to, get-out-of-the-house, activity. At an average of 3 visits a month, each trip would cost $3.02.

At The Arboretum with Uncle Chippy + Gramma G at 7 Weeks Old

Watching the Koi Fish at the Arboretum at 3 months old

This year, May through October, the Dallas Arboretum is hosting the Chihuly exhibit: a collection of large hand-blown glass installations. Like nothing I’ve ever seen, Chihuly is definitely worth checking out…. And, since it’s been SO hot during the day, I recommend checking out the exhibit during Chihuly Nights (Either during one of the summer concerts Tues/Thurs nights or on Wednesday nights when the exhibit is beautifully lit and the heat isn’t quite as intense)

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There are also 50+ affiliated gardens all over the country to which we can visit for FREE! Hopefully planning to check out the Los Angeles Arboretum or the South Coast Botanic Garden in Long Beach while we’re in California next month!

 

 

 

Post Pregnancy: Shape Up, Slim Down

First things first… I gained 62 pounds with Olivia and have NEVER had to work as hard as I’ve having to work to lose the baby weight and reclaim my figure. Several weeks before I realized that I was pregnant, (having already noticed some unexplained weight gain) I started doing Tracy Anderson’s Mat Workout 4-5x a week. ( I could tell you that I was doing the prescribed 6 days on, 1 day off… but that’s just not true). If I could go back and do one thing differently I would have not strayed from my normal diet/exercise routine during pregnancy. I’ve always maintained a fairly healthy lifestyle without depriving myself. I do LOVE food. That being said… Day One: Home from the hospital… I found myself discouraged when I saw the number on the scale. Within the first week I was down about 25 pounds. (Obviously 6.8lbs of that was my precious baby girl). After the first month, I was down another 5 or 6lbs… having not done anything more than walking with Liv in the Bjorn 4-5x a week and attempting to break some of the bad eating habits that I picked up in the last trimester. With more than 30 pounds to go… I found myself totally discouraged.

At 5-weeks postpartum I picked up a vinyasa flow yoga class on Monday nights at Karmany Yoga. Although this was the perfect way for me to start getting out solo for an hour of “me time”… Addicted, I started going 2x a week… but still definitely wasn’t enough exercise to result in any weight loss.  (I’ve really enjoyed the Monday/Wednesday 7pm class – Karmany offers a very positive and nonjudgemental atmosphere… understanding that everyone practices yoga for different reasons and at different levels and no practice is “better” than the next. Individuals gets what they put in to their practice. Karmany is also the only donation-based studio in DFW… Making it even more awesome. Suggested is $15/class or $10/class for 3+ classes a week)

2 months postpartum,  I found myself centered but still carrying an extra 25 pounds around. Determined to really get things going in the weight-loss department… I dusted off my Tracy Anderson DVDs. I have some qualms with her “methods” and definitely did not follow them completely… However, I have found some success mixing and matching bits and pieces of the following workouts… creating my own 20-40 minute routine(s)… For example… I’ll choose the “arms” from the “Metamorphosis” workout, “Legs” from the “Mat Workout” and Abs from “Post Pregnancy.”  I can usually get in at least 30 minutes while Liv naps… sometimes an hour… if I’m REALLY lucky. I almost always opt out of the dance cardio… because even my 5 month old daughter thinks I look like a fool doing it.

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Tracy Anderson Post Pregnancy Workout: Very Calm and Quiet… which is really the last thing I want in a workout. 6+ times a week is suggested to “see results” but REALLY… predicting a 60-min block of time where baby is either a) happy enough to watch mommy workout or b) napping doesn’t happen 6-days a week. I’m lucky if it happens even 4x.  I will say… this workout is heavy on the abs… which is exactly what my postpartum body needs.

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Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis: I think this is the “method” that most people have heard of. Basically a 90-day complete diet and exercise program involving a structured meal-plan and 6 days on, 1 day off exercise routine. The strength training sequence changes every 10 workouts, to be used in conjunction with a 30-min cardio dance routine (This is MUCH easier than the stuff in the “Beginner Dance Cardio” video). Seems to be more leg-intensive… but I think that may just be the “hip-centric” version I have.

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Tracy Anderson Mat Workout – Overall, my favorite. One 60-min workout including warm-up and cool-down stretching. Somewhat fast-paced and dance-y. Starts with 2 leg sequences (using a standard dining chair for balance) 2 arm sequences (one with 3lb weights) then “standing ab isolation” (basically upright ab wiggling) followed by more legs on the floor and a mat ab sequence. I love that this workout moves at a faster pace… but the sequences get boring after a few workouts… I need variation to stay motivated.

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 Tracy Anderson Beginner Dance Cardio: If you want to dance around a feel like a fool. Might be fun on girls night after a few cocktails. Or definitely a workout if you can pick up a routine easily. I look like a limp noodle when I dance… I’m sure Dan would vote this as “most fun to watch”

I only wish I was as coordinated as Nicole Richie… Tracy Anderson & Nicole Richie Dance Cardio

Fast Forward to 4.5 months. A combination of semi-consistent workouts (at least 5x weekly… be it 15 minutes or an hour), yoga, a healthier diet and extra calories burned from breast-feeding. I’ve lost another 10 pounds… Another 15 would get me back to pre-baby weight but I TOTALLY accept the reality that that may NEVER happen. Not to mention the fact that I may NEVER fit in to my size favorite jeans because I have these things called hips now! Hello Momma body. 

Olivia: 4 Months


4 Month Check-Up

14.0 Pounds

23.75 Inches 

Size:  “6 month”, Size 1 Diapers

Nicknames: Sneekle Feetzie, Liv, O, Liver Dude, Liv Cakes, Love/Liv Bug, Peanut, OKP

4 months

Loves…

The Baby Einstein Exersaucer (AKA “The Disc”)

Sophie the Giraffe and Sophie “Chewie”

Standing while holding Mom or Dad’s hands

Listening to her Daddy play guitar or piano

The “Liv, Liv, Liv” Song

The Belly Button Song

“Jump Jump Jump” Jana Alayra Song

“Where’s Spot?”

Going to the Aquarium

Going to the Dallas Arboretum (AKA Arbor-eatzi-mah-bah)

Being Outside

WubbaNub (AKA WerberNerb or WerberNerber)

Morning Snuggles with Mom

“Longtime Sunshine” Song

Bath Time, Baby Massage, Bed Time

The “Climb Mommy” game

Happy Baby Pose

Putting fingers, hands, and feet in her mouth.

4 Months

Cranks…

Being called “Dumbo”

Getting in the Car Seat

Being in the stroller

Not being in mom’s arms

The Sling

4 Months

Milestones

Babbling, Cooing, Baby talkin’

Rolls over both directions

WILL NOT SLEEP ON HER BACK

Consistently sleeping for 5+ hours stretch night.

Occasionally sleeping 8+ hours

Going to Church @ Fellowship White Rock

Daily Routine:

3AM- 5AM: Wake Up, Nurse, Snuggle with Mom in bed

8AM: Nurse

9AM: Nap (30MIN – 1HR)

11AM: Nurse

2PM: Nurse

3PM: Nap (1HR-2HRs)

5PM: Nurse

7PM: Nurse

8PM: Starts Dozin’

8:30PM: Bathtime, Lotion and Massage, “Jammies”

9:00PM Nurse, Songs and Prayers

1AM: Wakeful Babe = gets a paci and usually falls back asleep

Note: I need to get better at taking in-focus iphone pictures.

The Honest Company

The Honest Company Sample Kit

I mentioned here that I wanted to give the eco-friendly diaper another “go” when our gifted supply was dwindling. As much as I think it’s totally silly that every celebrity who gets pregnant wants to launch some kind of baby product line… I really like that Jessica Alba went the environmentally conscious route. The Honest Company offers chemical-free, non-toxic and totally cute diapers, wipes and a variety of other baby necessities. The best part? For $4.95 S&H you can order a free trial (above – just received mine a few days ago!). The diapers are adorable… and don’t feel half as bad as the Seventh Generation variety… my only (and pretty significant) problem… coincidence that we had blowouts in 3 out of 7 diapers? I seriously doubt it. The wipes are VERY thin but even THAT I could overlook for the environmentally-friendly factor… but blowouts… DEAL BREAKER. The lotion is olive oil based (pro), VERY moisturizing (pro), but smells like…. olive oil (con). I will say… I think the diapers may be a tiny bit big. Based on her size, the site suggested a size 2.  Although we’ll probably graduate at the end of this case… Liv still comfortably fits in a size 1 Pampers Swaddlers. SO… Either Honest runs small and I just don’t like the product  OR the size 2 we’re too big and caused aforementioned blowouts. Either way, I haven’t written the product off completely… would definitely give a second shot after we’ve worked our way through our gifted stockpile. The packaging is pretty darn cute, huh? I have a hard time believing that those bottles/tubes are biodegradable… but whatever.

Post Peanut Projects

My Big List of Post Peanut Projects

An ambitious (and growing) list of things I’d like to accomplish (this year) as a stay-at-home mommy

  • Create a Disaster/ Tornado Kit for the house and car
  • Take a Sewing Class, Finally take the sewing machine that I got for my birthday 3 years ago… learn to use it to accomplish several projects (Including… New Pillows for the Living Room Sofa, Curtains for Master Bedroom, Guest Bedroom and Liv’s Room)
  • Revamp Outdoor Living Spaces (New Planties, drought-friendly plants for beds, Cushions for Adirondack chairs, twinkle lights for arbor, porch swing, new grill solution, and of course… kill weeds.
  • Document Recipes for “Season’s of Love” Lifebook
  • Start Mommy Blog (whoohoo… I’m already making progress on this one!)
  • Update Liv’s baby book
  • Organize Photos in Picasa albums
  • Organize Office/ Re-do Office space so that’s it’s functional as Daniel’s “home office” with room to share for Music and Mommy stuffs
  • Put Wedding Photos in an Album
  • Order and Frame Wedding, Maternity and Newborn prints
  • Clean out craft closet, pantry/utility room, and kitchen cabinets
  • ReVamp Guest Bedroom
  • Open Etsy Shop to sell Found/Handmade (Read: things I sew) goodies
  • Replace fixtures throughout house (rather… remove. Rustoleum spray paint ’em and put ’em back on)
  • Postpartum slim down
  • Re-Finish + Sell old dining set

Poop Stains

All moms swear by something to remove stains… This concoction works. Equal parts: Wisk, Shout and Oxi Clean. Applied directly to the stain, scrub then soak in warm water for a few hours and pop in with the rest of the load. And my mom had the genius idea of using an old spice bottle (one with larger holes works best) to store a smaller amount of Oxi Clean for easier pouring and quick access.

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Momma Meg Loves: Things to Register For

As a first time momma I was TOTALLY clueless when creating a baby registry. I had no idea what I would need and want… I really only knew what I thought was cute. And it’s ALL cute. Especially when you’re having a girl! Here’s a list of the products I found most essential in my arsenal. Also – a list of the things I registered for… and/or purchased that I probably should have skipped or waited on.

Momma Meg Loves…

Baby Bjorn Air Mesh Baby Carrier

 

Baby Bjorn – I took Liv out for walks starting around 3 weeks. It was not only great for her… but good for me to get out at least once a day to get some fresh air and a little exercise. In the first few months, I used it at least once a day… most days more like 3 or 4 times. Found it especially useful to calm her when she just wanted to be held. The “Bjorn” brand works wonderfully for me – although at 4 months… looking into the future… I might have looked into something that converted into a backpack type carrier. Also – I registered for the grey/white mesh carrier because it claimed to be more “breathable”… but I probably should have opted for the “stain-hiding” classic black. Buy Here with a 20% off coupon, or Buy Here in All black mesh! Image From Here (Note: I wanted Liv to Love this sling SO badly… but she HATES it. Maybe once she likes to sit on my hip we can try it again… I REALLY wish we could figure out the whole nursing-while-baby-wearing thing… )

Edit: Instead of deleting the above blurb about the Baby Bjorn, I thought I’d leave it so you might see (if anyone actually refers to/ reads back this far) what I did LOVE about this product in the earlier stages. I could have predicted at about 4 months (See above) that we were growing out of the Bjorn. Olivia was a pretty petite baby so it really did work wonderfully for me for the first few months… didn’t strain my back, was comfortable, she seemed comfortable, etc. The last time we tried to use it was around 6 months – on our trip to CA. Still petite, I can’t bear to carry Olivia in it for more than a few minutes – she’s squished in there, the straps dig in to my shoulders and after 5 minutes I can already feel the backache coming on. After lots of careful research polling all my momma friends and experts, I’ve decided to invest in an Ergo Baby Carrier. (Just waiting for one to pop up on sale on Zulily, Totsy, Amazon, etc.)

Ergo Baby Carrier

 

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Glazed Diaper Bag

Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag – If I had to pick one thing to SPLURGE on… this would be it. Ours was gifted by my Godmother to whom I will be forever grateful… because this is truly a wonderful bag! The reasons I love it are endless… so here are the top 3. First, most diaper bags come with a changing pad cover that folds and stores INSIDE the bag… so when you encounter that questionable public changing table, you have to dig through the diaper bag… find the pad… the wipeys and the diapeys… PPB makes things SO MUCH easier. the pad unzips and folds out from the side of the bag revealing two pockets… perfectly sized for diapers… and for wipes. Oh.. and a tiny pocket for travel-sized diaper rash cream. Two Words… EASY ACCESS. Also a really nice feature for changing diapers when you DON’T have access to a changing table… like… on a picnic blanket… or at a friend’s house. And BONUS… because it’s access from the outside of the bag… no lost storage space on the INSIDE of the bag. Second, PPB is waterproof! and the fold-out changing pad is machine washable. I can already tell that this bag will wear REALLY well through as many kiddos as I want to have (and for the price tag… it should!) Third, convertible straps allow PPB to be worn cross-body, over-the-shoulder, or as a backpack! Also fits REALLY well hanging our stroller! and Duh…the cute factor is obvious… Buy Here (lots of matching accessories too!) or Buy Here (discontinued prints are a little bit less expensive) Image from Here

WubbaNub

WubbaNub – Obviously not something I had heard of pre-#momlife. This pacifier (A soothie) is attached to a small stuffed animal friend… awesome because a) the stuffed animal acts as a weight making it easier to find when the pacifier falls out. b) most of the stuffed creatures have perfectly sized arms/legs for little hands to hold on to. c) they’re easier to find for mommy too! Buy Here (best variety) or Buy Here (for convenience) Image from Here

Aiden + Anais Bamboo Swaddle Blankets

Aiden + Anais Swaddle Blankets – These were something I put on my registry purely because I thought they were pretty. Soft and sheer… I just loved the way they looked and felt. We have both the bamboo blend and regular muslin variety. The bamboo are definitely softer and easier to swaddle with but pricier and don’t hold up as well after several washes. The muslin are lightweight enough to use as a nursing cover (especially nice when it’s too hot out to use one of those heavy canvas “hooter hiders”). I keep one of these blankets in my diaper bag at all times! Also worth mentioning – Aiden + Anais makes great burp rags too! Same soft material and darling prints…. also feature a great curved shape that fits as perfectly as a burp rag can over your shoulder and BONUS… snaps into a “bib” … which is great to snap around a stroller handle or car seat for easy access. Buy Here  or Buy Here (best variety) or Buy Here (for convenience) Image From Here

Sophie The Giraffe

Sophie The Giraffe & Sophie The Teether – Definitely worth every penny! I had a hard time justifying this purchase… but as soon as Liv was old enough to enjoy “toys”… Sophie quickly became a favorite. The feet are just the right size for tiny hands to hold on to and the “PURE” rubber is safe for drool-y exploring. Liv is almost 4.5 months old and unfortunately (to be confirmed by the pediatrician) at the very beginning stages of teething…. so we also invested in the Sophie Teether (who is fondly referred to as “Chewie” as to not create any confusion)… This version of Sophie is harder rubber and has ridged rings… great for teething… but also great for little hands to hold. Buy Here (Cheaper) or Here (In Stores) Image from Here

Angel Dear Giraffe Lovie

Angel Dear Giraffe Lovie – Don’t REALLY understand why this is Liv’s fav… but I picked it up at Baby Bliss (in a weak pregnant moment – I had a thing for all things giraffe… and this super plush… darling little giraffe “lovie” was too much to pass up). It’s slowly becoming a diaper bag staple… actually… it never really makes it in the bag… because it pretty much goes everywhere with Liv. Bumbo to Car Seat… even as we speak… she’s snuggled up, paci in one hand, Lovie in the other. Buy Here (Cheapest! $13!!) or Buy Here (In Stores)

Products I would RE-Think

The stroller – I’m convinced now (Yep, that’s right mom! I’ll admit I was wrong) expensive strollers are just that… expensive. Don’t get me wrong. There are lots of things that I love about my Peg Perego Switch Four stroller… and I AM glad I talked myself out of the uber fancy Uppa Baby or Bugaboo. I love that the stroller base + car seat snapped in combo is super easy to snap-in, fold-up, navigate, etc. The base is REALLY light weight… I can successfully collapse AND load the base one-handed (with an iced coffee in the other hand, of course!). We do get tons of use out of the bassinet, (that will later flip to face forward as the stroller seat) Olivia LOVES to lay down… and it allows her more room to wiggle around (READ: less likely to develop a flat spot from leaning head in one direction). Occasionally, I’ll strap her in, like a big girl and let her sit up slightly… Only downsides a) the straps are still to big for her at 4 months and b)without fastening the straps, she scoots down so far that her legs end up hanging off the end of the stroller. Things I dislike: a) the cup holder falls off… ALL the time. and it’s tiny. Not big enough for a larger drink… basically only big enough for a small plastic water bottle – which is probably the only thing I should be drinking) b) the basket (on the bottom) is not easy to access from the back because of the frame of the stroller… that’s just poor design. c) I wish that I had looked at something that had a handle bar that went all the way across as opposed to two handles. Daniel says our stroller handles are also too short for him to push… that’s just his fault for not wanting to go stroller shopping.

I’m already finding myself wanting a jogging stroller of some sort to use when we’re out walking or outdoors. I think I like this Tike Tech City X3 Swivel the best! Would welcome other thoughts.

The Carseat – again… I have a love/hate relationship with our car seat. We opted for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 which I was told was “the safest” option for baby. At 9 months pregnant – I probably would have believed ANYTHING the salesperson told me… especially concerning the necessity of at $250 Car Seat. I do believe that it is one of the safest on the market… and I am all for that. But this thing… WEIGHS A TON! Pro: Toned Arms Con:I probably won’t be able to carry it much longer. Even Daniel HATES carrying it for extended amounts of time… any further than car to restaurant, he insists that we bring the stroller.

The Crib Bedding – I should have listened… when my mother told me it was ridiculous to spend $300 on this crib bedding. Darling as it is… it a) doesn’t fit our crib well and b) the bumper (basically… the cute part) was safe for a whole 2 months before Liv started rolling over and smooshing her face up against the side of her crib. I should have just had fun with different printed sheets (like these from Dwell Studio)

The Bouncer Chair – I registered for a moderately priced… very muted… creamy color theme with precious little lambs and plush off-white cushioning. Not practical for MANY reasons…two of the biggest reasons being a) off-white and blowouts is a terrible combination and b)muted tones are NOT interesting for babies. pretty in your living room…but not entertaining for baby… and that’s really priority #1.

The Environmentally Friendly Diaper – As much as I REALLY wanted to make an effort at a more environmentally conscious diapering option… Seventh Generation diapers feel like paper bags… not to mention being the ugliest diapers you could possibly imagine. I registered and was gifted several packages…and after opening/using the first one.. I immediately packed ’em up and took them in to Babies R Us…. Exchanged for Pampers Swaddlers… which I love. And as guilty as I feel about the harsh chemicals on baby’s bottom and # of diapers I’m putting in a landfill somewhere… I hated those paper bags more. (Stay tuned for a review of these  eco-friendly diapers – We may go this route after we get through our gifted stash). Also – I would absolutely consider cloth diapering round 2. Or at least some sort of hybrid solution.