Must Haves 2: Once Baby Is Born

You may recall I wrote a post back in April about 'must haves for pregnancy and beyond'. Most of those items have been staples for the last 4 babies. However, this time around, I found a couple of things that are SO awesome, that I just had to share.

So, this is Must Haves (at least for me they are) Part 2:



1. THE MIRACLE BLANKET

Arms are swaddled in first... the video on the website shows you how to do this.

Isabella Grace knows this means that Mama's milk is on the way!

Fully Swaddled

I did put this on the list back in April, but had never used it, so wasn't sure how much of a must have it would be. I am a huge believer in swaddling. This blanket, truly is a miracle. Our Isabella sleeps so well at night and won't sleep well unless she is in this thing. The reason it is a 'miracle blanket' is that baby should not be able to escape out of this one. Now, Isabella managed to pull a Houdini this morning, but I think it is because I had it wrapped so loosely. She had never pulled that escape act before. Check them out at www.miracleblanket.com. Make sure to click on the video of how you use this blanket. It will totally have you sold on this product. They are offering a 10% savings now, or 15% for 2 or more. I recommend getting at least 2... because you never know when that diaper might leave a little surprise behind. We use this product all day, everyday, and it is worth every penny and more!



2. LASINOH LANOLIN NIPPLE CREAM

Breastfeeding is such a blessing. I love the feeling of being so needed by my baby and how they look into your eyes with such wonderment... but those sore nipples. Not such a blessing. So this product has truly been helping me. I have been using it every night. And for the first 2 weeks after Isabella came home, I was using it after each feeding. Once I started to use it, it really made a difference. I have tried other brands with the other babies, but this is the one I prefer. Plus, I love Lasinoh products. Their breastfeeding/baby wipes are awesome, too, for the first couple of months for those sensitive bottoms, but the Pampers ones work just as well. These products can be found anywhere.



3. BABY SWING

I can't believe I forgot to mention this in part 1! Most of my babies have loved the swing. Now, I am a big believer in baby-wearing, so I do that, too, but sometimes I need to get some sleep or take a shower or just not have a baby at my breast or in my arms and having the swing is a lifesaver! You won't believe how often I get to eat dinner with my family with this thing around. We were blessed with a gift certificate for Babies R Us and got the really nice one from Fisher Price. Isabella Grace loves it and must have the crickets chirping in the background at all times. That's a mountain girl for ya.



3. BUG AND SUN COVER


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS THING! Did I mention how much I love this thing? I can't believe that it wasn't out before, and I can't believe that Walmart seems to be the only place that carries it. It is a steal for only $10. I do wish they had more designs (They come in lime green/brown and blue/yellow combos.) But, honestly, who cares about the fabric design because the product design is ingenious! It covers the entire top of the baby's infant carseat and has the tubing on top to form the tent like dome over baby. It has elastic all the way around and then netting over the baby. It also has a cover that is very lightweight that also has elastic so you can use to cover baby from sun. Now, I know this is a 'sun and bug' cover... but, when I saw it, all I could think about was that it was a 'dirty hands and probing faces' cover. It is crazy how many people think it is OK to touch your baby, especially when they are sound asleep and you just spent 45 minutes nursing them in the parking lot of a grocery store to get them that way. So, this is a must have for those mom's that like their babies to remain 'sun and bug' free...yep, that's it, sun and bug free! (Thanks to Grammy and Tara for the gift card that provided this totally amazing product!)

4. A BEST FRIEND

The other day we went to visit our girlfriends, Deana and Grace. Deana was taking some pictures of our princess for us. SO CUTE! And Gracie was loving on Isabella. It was so cute to see how devoted Gracie was to our own little I. Grace and when I playfully asked Gracie if she wanted to keep the baby her eyes lit up and she said, with her hands clasped together in sheer joy, "YES!" I totally should have thought about how that would sound to her. It was hard convincing her that I needed to take her back home with me, but she did agree. What touched my heart so much was that when she was holding Isabella she said at one point, after having watched me nurse, that if I did leave Isabella with her, she would nurse her for me. So sweet. I promised Gracie she would be the first to hold her at playgroup. (Deana, you are raising a precious little girl. Loved seeing our Grace's together.)

Stay tuned for an upcoming post that is a giveaway with one of these items!
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Congratulations are in order for each of these beautiful women in my life:

Mayte, my sister in Texas. She is expecting her first, a little girl in November. I can't wait to see her!!

Natalie at Raising Miracles, my sweet sister in love and best friend... expecting a girl and due in December.

Delilah, mother of 3 boys, my sweet sister in Christ, whom is truly having a miracle baby, is expecting her first little girl in January.

Paula, my pea in the same pod, and one of my dearest friends, is expecting their 5th child in late February. I say girl, Paula...ha, ha.

Ashley, one of my sweet bloggy friends over at So Thankful. Congratulations! I love how prayer works, Girl!!

Last, but certainly not least,Susan, another sister in love(law) of mine, over at God, my Savior Forever. They have so desired a little one for so long, so this is such an answer to prayer!!! She and my little brother, Manny, are expecting their first baby in April.

Each of these women were on a list I have of women whose wombs I had been praying would be blessed. I have been praying for some of them for years and others for a short time, but God answered prayer. I do continue to pray for a certain someone, still, you know who you are! Congrats to these new mommies!


What are some of your pregnancy must haves? What about after baby is born must haves? I have lots of friends and family expecting so, I know they would love to hear your input.