Newborn Sleep Favorites

Sleep is so important for baby and for mom & dad. The most important thing about newborn sleep is that it is safe! I am sharing my tried and true products that we used with Charlie and are now using with Effie to provide a safe and peaceful sleep. We love and swear by all of these items!

1. Halo Sleep Sack - We love halo sleep sacks. I have never been able to figure out how to do a tight swaddle with a blanket and I worry that it would come unraveled in the middle of the night. These are perfect for keeping baby warm and safe at night. 

Click here for Halo Sleep Sack

2. Avent Soothie Pacifier - These pacifiers were a favorite of Charlies. We started using them when we were in the NICU and we would have to leave her at night. We wanted her to have some form of comfort while we were gone. We now use these with Effie and they are our favorite brand. Also, while we were in the NICU one of the nurses told us that pacifiers help keep babies mouth open and allow them to get more oxygen at night while sleeping which keeps them safe. 

Click here for Avent Soothie Pacifier

3. Infant Optics Baby Monitor - This monitor has worked great for us over the years. We love the live monitoring, which we prefer over the new apps for smartphones. The apps for smartphones tend to have short delays which we do not feel comfortable using. 

Click here for Infant Optics Baby Monitor

4. Pottery Barn Kids Lamb nightlight - We used this nightlight/projector every night when Charlie was a baby. It projects stars onto the ceiling and works amazingly to light up the room and create a peaceful sleep environment for baby.

Click here for Pottery Barn Kids Lamb Projector Nightlight

5. Baby Bjorn Cradle - We love this bassinet for the perfect safe sleep for baby. We used this for nap time with Charlie and kept it on the main floor of our house, while keeping her bedtime bassinet upstairs in our bedroom. What I love most about this basinet is that the fabric is a breathable mesh which you can actually see through, as well. It also has the ability to gently rock. I love that it looks minimalistic and modern. 

Click here for Baby Bjorn Cradle

At night, we keep this bassinet next to our bed. We use this without the bumper for a safe sleep. 

Click here for Pottery Barn Kids Bassinet 

6. Baby Pajamas - At night, we have always put our babies in a onesie with jammies overtop. This pants and top set is easy for bedtime because you can just take of the pants and unsnap the onesie for a quick diaper change - versus unsnapping pajamas. I am not a huge fan of zipper jammies because I feel like unless they fit perfectly in length, the zipper always bulges and it just doesn't look comfortable to me having a big bulging zipper in baby's face. 

Click here for Baby Gap Pajamas

7. LectoFan Sound Machine - As a family, we all sleep with sound machines and we have gone through a number of different sound machines to find the perfect sound. This is the best sound machine we have come across. It creates a deep sound, versus the high pitched sound that some machines make. We have one in every bedroom in our house.

Click here for LectoFan Sound Machine

8. The Owlet Smart Sock - If you have not heard of the Owlet, I am happy to be the first person to share it with you. This device was life changing for us! After Charlie was born, we spent two weeks in the NICU and we became used to seeing her oxygen level and heart rate regularly. When it was time to go home, we did know how we were going to be able to sleep at night without knowing her heart rate and oxygen level. At the time, The Owlet was just released and we were so thankful! The Owlet wraps around babies foot and monitors oxygen and heart rate levels. An alarm will sound if these numbers go out of range. This device gave us SO much comfort and helped us to get some extra sleep at night. I highly recommend this device for ALL parents and babies. 

Click here for The Owlet Smart Sock

9. LifeFactory Glass Bottles - We bottle fed Charlie and currently are bottle feeding Effie. I love bottle feeding because I can see exactly how much milk our babies are getting plus, it allows for Greg and I to take turns at night feeding. I honestly do not know how I would function during the day if I did all of the night feedings myself! I also truly believe that being an overly exhausted parent is unsafe for your children. I am so thankful my husband and I share the feeding duties at night. This wouldn't be possible if we were not bottle feeding. I love the quality of LifeFactory bottles and of course, I chose them because they are glass and I am not a fan of warming up plastic. The best part about these bottles is they transition to toddler-hood because they have sippy-cup attachments. 

Click here for LifeFactory baby bottles

10. Baby Hats - Newborns often have a hard time regulating body temperature. In those early weeks home from the hospital, we always keep hats on our babies. A lot of baby sets come with hats, but I linked an adorable baby hat from the Gap. 

Click here for Gap baby hat

More Easter Basket Ideas for Boys & Girls

 As promised, I am sharing a few more Easter basket ideas! I will try to share a few more before it is too late, but almost all of the items I am sharing will arrive very quickly if ordered soon! 

First, I am sharing a dino themed Easter basket for little dinosaur lovers. 

The second basket I am sharing is a pretty basket fit for a little ballerina. 

Most of these items can be found at Target! 

Click the links below for each item.

1. Egg Chalk (found here)

2. Paper Mache T-Rex Kit (found here)

3. Dino Socks (found here)

4. Dino Easter Egg Kit (found here)

5. Dino with Bunny Ears (found here)

6. Blue & Green Easter Grass (found here)

7. Dino Figures (found here)

8. Dino Puzzle (found here)

9. Blue Easter Basket (found here)

10. Dino Eggs (found here)

11. Bunny Ears (found here)

A tip if you are buying from Target- order online for curbside pick-up and get it today!

Such a sweet basket for a little ballerina!

1. Ballet School Sticker Book (found here)

2. White Easter Basket (found here)

3. Iridescent Easter Grass (found here)

4. Flower Sunnies (found here)

5. Ballerina Bath Toys (found here)

6. Mon Ami Ballerina Doll (found here)

7. Lace up Ballet Shoes (found here)

8. "Miss Lina's Ballerinas" Book (found here)

9. Ballerina Outfit (found here)

10. Glitter Crown Hair Clip (found here)

Happy Easter!

I hope these ideas makes your Easter shopping easier!

Easter Basket Ideas for Colorful Little Girls

 Charlie is such a colorful little girl in so many ways. She loves all things rainbow and unicorn (lol) and so I am excited to surprise her with some fun and colorful Easter treats. Most of these items are found at Target and you can easily pick them up in time for Easter. 

1. These gummy bunnies from Williams Sonoma are so cute. 

Charlie's favorite treat is Sour Patch Kids so I know she is going to love these. 

2. How cute are these adorable socks from Janie & Jack? 

They would look so cute with a pair of Mary Janes. 

3. This Easter book has great reviews. 

I love incorporating the true meaning of Easter into Charlie's Easter basket. 

4. I love this rainbow unicorn chalk! Perfect for springtime. 

It even has glitter in it!

5. The FAO Schwarz stuffed animals from Target are so cute and great quality.

Charlie will LOVE this unicorn!

6. On our last trip to Target, Charlie picked these bunny ears out for herself and 

she absolutely loves them. Bonus: they are only $5!

7. We can never have enough WeeOnes bows in our house so 

I love included them in Charlie's Easter basket. 

8. I found this Easter grass at Target and I love that it has little paper flowers in it! 

Finally - a variation on Easter grass. So cute!

9. Etsy is a great source for adorable gifts like this wooden name puzzle. 

I hope this post helps to make Easter shopping a little bit easier this year.

Happy Easter!

What is in my hospital bag...

We are getting closer to my due date and I thought I would share with you what I plan on packing in my hospital bag with baby #3. To be honest, Charlie was born via emergency c-section 6 weeks premature and I had NOTHING with me when I went in to my appointment and I was perfectly fine with having absolutely nothing on hand. The hospital has everything you need to stay a few days. That being said, it would have been A LOT more convenient and I probably would've felt some sort of sense of comfort having my own things with me. We were able to do without our own items for about a day or two. After that, we sent someone to get a bag for us from our house and thank goodness we were slightly prepared at home with items because we ended up staying in the hospital for two weeks.

I think the most important things to pack in your hospital bag (aside from the basic necessities) are the things that will make you feel more comfortable during your stay, whether that is a nice pair of jammies or a cozy blanket. 

Packing for the hospital can be overwhelming, but remember that if you forget something, the hospital will most likely have something similar anyway. Just don't forget a camera!

Bag:

How cute is this Barrington Bags tote bag? I saw another blogger do this "MOM" monogram and I absolutely loved the idea. All of their bags are completely customizable. 

Packing for Baby:

1. Sleep Sack 

We LOVE the Halo Sleep Sacks. We were lucky enough to have one given to us in the NICU because it was not even something I had at home. We loved these so much that we used them ever since our NICU days and until Charlie outgrew them. 

2. Pajamas

There are SO many adorable pajama options for baby so this is a time to have fun shopping! I would suggest, if your baby is due at full term, to get a newborn size and 0-3 just in case your baby is bigger. If you are expecting your baby early, Dillard's has a great selection of adorable preemie sized outfits. One of our favorite preemie pajama brands is also Kickee Pants.

3. Hats

These adorable hats are so cute with the big bow! Hats were one thing I never bought for Charlie and did not realize that I needed them until I got to the hospital. Luckily, the NICU has lots of donated hats that we could use for our stay. 

4. Baby Soap & Lotion

The hospital definitely has soap for your baby and from my experience, they usually have Johnson's Baby Soap. If you prefer something different for your babies first bath, I would bring your own baby soap. I love the Noodle & Boo products, but I may bring something gentler for babies first bath. 

5. Bottles

I never fully breast fed Charlie. It was too difficult for me in the NICU with the stress and the wires and tubes connected to her. It never felt natural to me. Instead, I pumped and bottle fed her. I was a low producer and was extra fortunate to be able to use donor breast milk ( THANK YOU DONOR MOMS!!!). If you are looking for breast feeding advice, I am definitely not your person, but I did pump like a crazy person for the first 3 months of Charlie's life and that was about all I could handle. That being said, I would suggest you bring a bottle or two with you to the hospital. We were able to use the hospital bottles, but after about a week in the hospital our nurse suggested we run to the store and get some better bottles to use. We used the Dr. Brown's (here) bottles in Charlie's early months, but later switched to Lifefactory bottles (here) because I could not handle washing all of those Dr. Brown's bottle parts...If you know, you know! LOL

6. Formula

During our NICU stay,  Charlie eventually did need formula because I was under producing and her needs were growing. I attribute my low breast milk supply to having breast implants and also to Charlie being born prematurely - I don't think my body knew it was time to produce milk. Also, I was under a lot of stress in the NICU which I am sure contributed. We were so blessed to be able to receive milk from donors (truly a life saver!) so we did a combo of my milk, donor milk, and eventually formula. We used this formula and I really liked it. Charlie had no issues on it and it worked well for us!

7. Swaddle Blanket

The muslin swaddle blankets are so soft and come in so many patterns. We liked having them at the hospital to cover up for skin to skin and also we used them as "crib sheets" in the incubator. There are so many patterns and styles of these blankets. As Charlie got older, we always used them on walks in the stroller. 

8. Nursing Pillow

If you plan on breast feeding, a nursing pillow would be great to have in the hospital. We did not have one in the hospital with Charlie and realized how much easier it would be to have a nursing pillow instead of trying to stack up hospital pillows every time we tried to feed her. 

9. Onesies

I did not realize, until we were in the NICU, that it is a good idea to put a onesie under every baby outfit! I was pretty clueless before Charlie was born. We used SO many onesies in the first year of her life. 

10. Mittens

Mittens are great for preventing baby from scratching their face. These cute little mittens will go with most outfits. 

11. Coming Home Outfit

To me, a coming home outfit is the sweetest most special thing. After being in the NICU for two weeks with Charlie, we couldn't wait to put on her coming home outfit to finally be heading to the comfort of our home. There are so many coming home outfit options. I found this cute set with all the adorable accessories. 

12. Pacifier

Before Charlie was born, I thought I wouldn't be giving my baby a pacifier, but when she needed to spend time in the NICU, I wanted her to have something to soothe her when I couldn't be there at night. The soothie pacifiers are her favorite. 

13. Diapers & Wipes

The hospital will definitely have diapers and wipes available for you when baby is born, but if you have a preference on what kind of diaper you want to use on your newborn, I would suggest bringing a few of your preferred diapers with you. These diapers worked the best for us. We also used the same brand of wipes. 

Packing for Mom:

I suggest packing a separate bag for yourself to keep your stuff organized and separate from baby stuff. 

1. Maxi Pads

One thing I was unaware of before my first child was born was the massive amount of postpartum bleeding that you may experience. After Penelope was born (vaginal birth), I bled excessively for almost 3 month. After Charlie was born (c-section), I maybe bled for two weeks. My bleeding with Charlie was much lighter than with Penelope. That being said, these maxi pads are a must postpartum. The hospital will provide disposable underwear and pads, but I would bring a few of your own. Definitely have these on hand for when you go home.

2. Soothing Pads

I found these herbal pads while browsing and they have great reviews. Seems like they would be comforting after giving birth (not c-section). 

3. Black Underwear

In regard to the postpartum bleeding, it is also a good idea to have black postpartum underwear on hand. I would get black for obvious reasons and get brief or hipster so you can use a pad. There are also options available to help with recover like c-section recovery underwear. 

4. Hair Brush

Aside from your regular toiletries, I would bring a hair brush, of course. 

This is my favorite hair brush ever! 

5. Dry Shampoo

If you don't plan on washing your hair during your stay, especially if your stay is short, I would bring dry shampoo to help fluff up your hair for pictures. This is my favorite dry shampoo. 

6. Hair Clip or Pony

A cute hair accessory is nice to have for those early hospital pictures with baby. Your hair and makeup will most likely be the least of your concerns at that time, but having a nice hair accessory like this one, can make your pictures look better and you won't have to think about styling your hair. 

7. Tinted Lip Balm

Another little thing to have on hand for pictures is a tinted lip balm. I am never without lip balm and packing it is second nature to me. I hate the feeling of chapped lips. Having a tinted lip balm can make you feel put together after this crazy life changing experience. 

8. Nursing Friendly Nightgown & Robe

I love these nightgown and robe sets, especially the ones that come with a matching baby outfit. This beautiful pink one will be perfect for when baby girl arrives. 

9. Pajamas 

A cozy pair of pajamas will be comforting to have in the hospital. I like these button down ones in case you are planning on nursing or pumping. I chose these dark color pajamas in regard to the postpartum bleeding.

10. Slippers

A cozy pair of slippers could be comforting to wear in the hospital (or nonslip socks). It is nice to have the comfort of slippers that can slip right on and not have to worry about putting shoes on to walk around. 

11. Sandals 

These $5 sandals from Old Navy are perfect for the hospital, especially if you plan on taking a shower I would definitely wear sandals in the shower. These sandals are so cheap you could even throw them out when you are done if you wanted to. 

12. Extra Long Charging Cable

In the instance that you are bed ridden and unable to get up and walk around (which can be possible after a c-section), it is nice to have an extra long charging cable for your phone so you can call family from your bed. 

13. Air Pods

During labor, it could be peaceful to put your AirPods on and listen to relaxing music. I also like the idea of having AirPods postpartum if you just want to tune out and get some sleep (which can be hard with nurses coming in the room to check on you). I think if you have AirPods in and a sleep mask on they will be less likely to interrupt you. 

14. Yeti Tumbler

Depending on how accommodating your nurses are, you may not get a water refill for a while. Having a Yeti Tumbler would be nice to keep your drinks cold throughout labor and recover. You can also add in electrolyte powder to help your recovery. 

I hope you enjoyed my hospital bag checklist. Is there anything you brought with you to the hospital that you cannot live without? Share below!

Mommy & Me Poolside Looks

 Greetings from Miami!

We are having such a great time on our trip. After being on lockdown for nearly a year in Michigan, being in Miami has been wonderful. With spring break around the corner and summer just beyond that, I wanted to share some adorable mommy & me matching poolside looks. I have to admit, I always gravitate toward a black swimsuit because they are so slimming, but I have been trying to step out of my comfort zone and into more color since there are SO many beautiful colorful swimsuits out there. 

Which is more you - pink or blue?

Shop the links below for these adorable pieces!

Gift Guide for Him - Part 1

Ladies! Here it is! My first gift guide for him of the season. I will probably do a few more because I have lots of ideas for him. These gifts are all gifts I have bought in the past for my husband that he has really enjoyed or gotten use of. I will be posting more throughout the season.

1. These UGG slippers are the best for him to slip on when running outside to take out the trash or whatever he does outside... LOL. 

(Click here for slippers)

2. A good pair of gloves goes a long way. I love these ones from J. Crew and they are currently on sale. 

(Click here for gloves)

3. This Yeti mug is nice to take out to the bonfire or even to keep your coffee warm at your desk for hours. 

(Click here for Yeti mug)

4. One year I bought my husband a smoker and I was so excited to give it to him! My family always smokes meat and I feel like its a "manly-man" thing to do LOL

(Click here for the smoker)

5. I love these Tie Bar kits because they are personalized and I love the coordinating! There are lots of color options, too. 

(Click here for Tie Bar kits)

6. This Shinola belt is the only belt your husband will ever need. I love how classic it is. Plus, its is from Nordstrom so if it doesn't fit, the returns are SO easy there. 

(Click here for Shinola belt)

7. These copper mugs would look cool in a home bar or bar cart. You can personalize them, too. Perfect for the bartender-type husband!

(Click here for copper mugs)

8. Every husband need a good pair of outdoor boots. Love the look of these.

(Click here for boots)

9. I buy my husband underwear every year for Christmas. I don't know if thats attractive or makes me more of a mom (lol), but I know he needs it so I use it as a stocking stuffer. 

(Click here for Polo briefs) 

These are just a few ideas, but I will be back to share more!

Enjoy!

Fun Holiday Activities to Do in 2020

 Christmas is my most favorite time of year! I absolutely love all of the traditions and activities that get us in the holiday spirit. This year, of course, things are going to be different than usual, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun this holiday. I am going to share a list of fun activities for anyone to do during the season that is COVID safe. I am also going to share some fun activities if you are local to Metro- Detroit. 

Some super fun activities that help you get into the spirit of the season in 2020...

1. Invite a few family members over to decorate Christmas cookies. Everyone can have their own tray with their own icing, sprinkles, etc. so that decorations (and germs) are not shared!

2. Have a bonfire outside with friends and family. Play Christmas music, drink egg nog or festive drinks, and cook some food on the fire. Make sure your Christmas lights are on!

3. Did you know you can hire a Santa to come to your home? Look online for Santa rentals to find one in your neighborhood. I found a Santa who gets COVID tested regularly and follows social distancing regulations. Invite a few friends over and let the kids enjoy a visit with Santa. If you don't feel comfortable having him inside your house, you can visit with Santa on your front lawn. If you have a friend or family member who would volunteer to dress up as Santa, even better! We did this for Easter. My parents dressed up as Easter bunnies and left eggs all throughout our yard. It was so sweet. 

4. Sometimes getting in the spirit means giving. One of my favorite things to do every holiday season is to adopt a family and buy presents for them. It makes me so happy knowing we are helping a family to have a magical holiday. 

5. One tradition we have, which just happens to be COVID safe, is what we call the "Polar Express." On a random day in December, I leave tickets to the "Polar Express" under Charlie's pillow as a surprise and that night we load up in the car in our Christmas jammies with cocoa and snacks and we drive around looking at all of the neighborhood lights. We also usually do a scavenger hunt along the drive. There are lots of holiday light scavenger hunt printables on Pinterest. 

6.. Truly what makes me feel in the spirit of the season is when I am home in my cozy Christmas jammies, with a Christmas candle lit, make a super yummy dinner, and then watch Christmas movies after dinner by the fire and eat Christmas cookies. Being with my family in the comfort of our home and seeing our tree lit up at night - there is nothing better!

I hope these ideas help to make your season brighter!

For my metro-Detroit friends, I wanted to share a local guide to things to do during the season. As we know, the rules and regulations can change daily so I don't know if all of these activities will still be available. I would check the websites regularly to make sure they are still on. 

1. Greenfield Village Holiday Nights - This is one of my favorite traditional Christmas activities. Greenfield Village is a historic village. It truly feels like you are back in time! Dress warm. Make sure you buy tickets soon. They are selling out fast! (Click here for more info)

2. Detroit Zoo Wild Lights - If you haven't been to Wild Lights, it is super fun! The zoo comes to life in lights! Dress warm. Tickets are selling out fast! (Click here for more info)

3. DTE Magic of Lights - This is new this year, but it is a drive-thru experience to look at beautiful holidays lights! Bring some hot cocoa in the car with you.  (Click here for more info)

4. Christmas at Crossroads Village - Drive-thru crossroads village and enjoy the lights and Christmas decorations from your car. (Click here for more info)

5. Meadowbrook Hall Winter Wonderlights - A self guided outdoor light event on the grounds of Meadowbrook Hall. (Click here for more info)

6. Plymouth Walk of Trees in Kellogg Park and Santa Parade - Check out different decorated trees in the Kellogg Park. On November 27, Santa comes to town. Follow him on his route and wave from the sidewalk. (Click here for more info) (For Santa's Parade route, click here)

7. Wayne County Lightfest - Enjoy four miles of lights down Hines Drive from the comfort of your car. (Click here for more info)

8. The Rink at Campus Martius Park - Enjoy the beauty of Detroit and the Campus Martius Park with a fun day of ice skating. Reservations can be made online. (Click here for more info)

I also wanted to share some activities local to Northville for those interested:

1. Christmas in the Village - Enjoy Christmas activities in historic Mill Race Village. (Click here for more info)

2. Three Cedars Farm Country Christmas - As far as I have heard, Christmas is still happening at Three Cedars Farm, which makes me super happy! Check out the decorations, visit with Santa, and get some cider & donuts. (Click here for more info)

3. *UPDATE: CANCELLED* Maybury Farm Country Christmas - Visit Maybury farm for Christmas decorations, music, and of course, the animals! Tickets must be purchased in advance. (Click here for more info)

4. Dinner in an igloo at Deadwood - Make a reservation for your family to enjoy dinner dining outside in an igloo at Deadwood. (Click here for more info)

5. Drive-thru Santa Visits at the Novi Civic Center- Register for s Santa drive-thru visit at Novi Civic Center on December 4th. You can enjoy hot cocoa, crafts, and cookies (provided) from your car. (Click here for more info)

6. Holiday Lights at the Farm - Visit MSU Tollgate Farm in Novi for a drive through the farm in your own car and check out the holiday decorations! (Click here for more info)

I hope you enjoy this beautiful season!