Show Us Your Life-Baby Gear

So this week it's show us your life - baby gear over at Kelly's Korner! As a mom of 2 I def. know what has worked for us and what has been more of a waste of money. Some things look so cute but then they turn out to pretty much be a waste. So if any new mom's or mommies to be have any other questions feel free to ask! Emma was a preemie so some things we used with her weren't useful with Tanner.

Thermometers:

Ear thermometers have been great with both mine! This is the Braun Thermoscan Ear thermometer that we use. It's very simple to use, the batteries hold up great! and it doesn't take but just a second to take the temp.

Travel System:

This is the travel system that we used with Emma and we still use the carseat with Tanner. Evenflo makes great baby gear and it's held up very well! There is hardly any wear and tear on the carseat or stroller. (and both were used with my niece as well)

Swing:

Swings are def. a MUST HAVE!! It was a life saver with Emma & it has been with Tanner as well. Both of mine have fought sleep when its nap time and putting them in this swing has made life so much easier! Tanner goes right to sleep if he's moving in this! It has 6 speeds and music and has the toy pictured here.

Bumbo Seat:

The bumbo wasn't useful with Emma, in fact we never used it with her. Tanner loves to sit up even though he's only 4mths. (almost) lol These are suppose to help baby learn to sit up but Emma was sitting up by 6mths with no problem! If your baby seems to want to sit up earlier then I would def. say to get a bumbo! Tanner loves to sit up while I cook dinner or just to watch tv with his big sister. :)

As for all those bottles you will need washed (if you bottle feed or pump) these dishwasher baskets are lifesavers!! Get at least 4! I hate washing bottles by hand because it takes so long to wash all the parts, esp. depending on which bottles you choose to use. I have tried to do bottles in the dishwasher a few times with only 2 baskets and some lid always falls off and ends up in the heating element! ha! As far as these go they also come in handy when you start using sippy cups! The lids and valves to sippies will do the same thing!

Exersaucer:

This was a God send for us! Emma played in her exersaucer from 4mths until I know at least 1yr! Tanner has just started using this and he loves to chew on the toys and watch tv. It gives you somewhere to put baby while you shower or cook if you choose to not use something else. These are def. worth your money!

Soothing Motions Glider:

The first 2 wks home with Tanner this is what he lived in! He slept in it all the time and loved it. It has 2 speeds and songs and the toy bar. I wouldn't say this is a necessity though. The bouncy seat or swing could easily replace this. Tanner just always loves to be moving so this helped from day 1 home!

Bedroom Bassinet:

This is the exact bedroom bassinet by Graco that we used up until this month. Tanner loved it! He slept in our room in this every night. It has the toys, 2speeds of vibration, music, lights, nature sounds, an alarm..everything! This was well worth our money. While the bassinet part is up it has the storage area underneath which was very helpful for those middle of the night feedings and diaper changes! It also rolls very easily so you can move it from one room to another!

Bottles:

The playtex Drop-Ins & The Avent bottles have worked best for us with both kids! The drop-ins don't have alot of parts to clean and the liners are disposable so it works out great. They have worked great at keeping air bubbles out of their little tummies too! The Avent bottles are simple to clean as well and they have not caused any gas/tummy troubles either.

Double Strollers:

This double jogging stroller is the one we have by Instep. It is a breeze to push and it works sooo great!! I don't know how we would make it without this. With 2 kids that are 34mths apart it's very difficult to find a double stroller that accommodates both kids easily. It was very difficult to push both kids in the tandem double strollers too. The ones that sit front to back are great as far as trying to take them to the stores or something but our experience has shown that they are HORRIBLE to push. Some people love there strollers that sit front to back but we hated ours. The wheels never seemed to want to push the weight of 2 kids and a diaper bag. Trips to the fair and anyplace that is not paved have become soo much easier with a jogging stroller. I don't actually jog with the kids nor does my hubby, but it it so much better to push than the other stroller. We originally had a Combi Counterpart Double Stroller and it was horrible. I suggest if you are going to have 2 children fairly close together or at least like we did, to get a jogging stroller.

These are just the things that have/have not worked for us so they may work/not work for you! Trial and error is a big part of being a mom! Diapers are always controversial for mom's- some work well for some and they leak for others! Don't discount using store brand baby products - diapers, bottles, formula. These things have all been used in our house at one time or another and we have a healthy 3yr old & 4mth old to prove it. :) Again, if anyone has any questions about any of this as a first time mommy or soon to be mommy of 2 email me! Going from one kid to two was a BIG transition for me and it was kind of difficult to say the least so if you have any questions about that either! I'd be glad to help!!