besties, babies, and favorites

Four of my oldest and bestest friends in the world are pregnant with their first child! It was so crazy, they all (well all but one, she is a little farther behind in her pregnancy than the others) contacted me within about a week and a half to tell me the exciting news! I realized at that point I better stop drinking the water. :) It's so fun watching people that I love so much experience this special time in their lives that will never be the same. I wish I had known when I was pregnant that my pregnancy would have been my only one, I don't think I would have done anything differently per se, just wish I would have known. I'm forever indebted to Shannon for my maternity photos that she took the day I went into the hospital! Whew! I had no idea when I scheduled my session with her what that day would end up entailing but I'm so thankful how it all worked out. (For any of you out there who are pregnant and debating doing a maternity session, do it!! This time is precious and you don't get it back!). Since one of my besties is newly preggers we don't know the gender of her munchkin just yet but the other 3 besties are all having BOYS! I think its so funny how babies seem to come in gender waves, its a boy season! Okay, I'm rambling, the point to my post is first off to say how excited I am for my precious friends -CONGRATULATIONS!! but also to share some of my favorite baby products. I love how eager first time parents are to hear about your favorite things, mistakes you made, things that aren't worth buying, etc. The thing about babies/child rearing, etc. everyone and their dog has an opinion and they can all be as different as night and day. Again, I'm no expert (on anything) but there are a handful of baby products that I would've died without so consider this my public service announcement. :)

If you could care less about baby products, no need to read any further, I get it.

First up: hotsling baby sling


I realize there are a MILLION different baby slings out there, but the hotsling in particular was hands down the best thing I bought. This was the only way Brennan would sleep if we weren't at home, I could stuff her in this thing and go anywhere! I would have my hands free and my sleeping baby snug as a bug right next to me. She loved it, I loved it, and it was a lifesaver on MANY occasions.

Secondly: especially for baby disposable diaper bags


OH.MY.WORD. these things were the best. Seriously, if you are a mom of a baby, run, don't walk and spend the $13 on this box of bags, it will change your life. (okay, maybe not change it but make it so.much.more.convenient.) How many times are you out and about with your baby, whether at the mall, the grocery store, a friends house, church, the park, your car on the freeway in traffic, etc. when you have dirty diapers, wipes, etc. and essentially nowhere to put them?! You toss ALL your yucky garbage in this little scented bags, tie the handles in a knot and toss in the trash. You don't have to smell up your friend's house, or worry about leaving something gross in a restaurant bathroom, etc.. There are so many of these bags in 1 box that I only had to buy 2 boxes the whole time B was in diapers! I would swear by these things and never left my home without them.

Lastly: baby swing


Most parents get one of these, this isn't earth shattering information but I tell you what -Brennan loved her swing and it was the only way we could get chunks of sleep as she rocked away! She slept in this sling from the moment she got out of the NICU until she was 4 months old! Sure, we burned through batteries like there was no tomorrow, and eventually the motor in the swing gave out but it was worth every minute of uninterrupted sleep we got. :)


As far as my opinion on name brands:

* Pampers Swaddlers were the only way to go

* Huggies wipes are hands.down. the best wipes, most durable, cheap, etc.

Again, this is all just my meager opinion and probably every parent out there will have a different one...but its fun to share favorite things. To all you parents out there of littles, what are your favorite things? Leave a comment and help out my friends! xo

P.S. Since this is a baby post and all, head on over to my photo blog and check out a sneak peek of a beautiful mama here.