7.23.2013 || 12:55 p.m. || 8 lbs || 20.75 in.
This little man came into our lives on July 23rd and has had us completely enraptured ever since. In all my life, I have never known such a love. Motherhood is incredible. I am so blessed. I promise I will get around to writing Luca's birth story soon, but in the mean time I just couldn't keep him from you any longer!
Tuesday will mark one month since Luca was born. Over the past four weeks we've slowly begun to discover our new "normal" and in that process we've found some things that have made life with a newborn so much easier! Here are our favorite baby items for the first month:
1. 4moms mamaRoo- This swing is designed to mimic mother's movements and let me tell you, it is a lifesaver. This is Luca's couch in our living room. As difficult as it is to put your newborn down, there are just some things that are way too ridiculous to do one-handed. The swing comes in all sorts of different colors, and also plays soothing sounds to lull your little one to sleep. The swing is a little on the pricey side, but if you're estimating cost per use you will definitely get your money's worth. I guarantee you'll be seeing tons of photos of Luca in this contraption.
2. Cloud B On the Go Sleep Sheep- This sheep puts Luca to sleep in minutes at night. It plays calming nature sounds. The falling rain is his favorite. I don't recommend the babbling brook unless you want to be changing diapers and running to the bathroom every five minutes, but this is a must have, PLUS it will teach your baby to sleep with sound. No one wants a baby that needs complete silence to sleep.
4. Gumdrop Pacifiers- Now I wasn't planning on giving my baby a pacifier right away, but he had this continuous need to suckle even after feedings, so I finally gave in and how glad I am that I did! These turn my baby from fussy to content in a matter of seconds, we've nicknamed them "the silencers."
5. Boon Grass Bottle Drying Rack- This is just plain cute and totally functional as well. We have the flower accessory to dry the nipples and caps, and millions of other accessories bottles come with these days.
6. Medela Calma bottle- Luca took to this bottle right away. It allows babies to use the same feeding patterns as when they breastfeed. Everyone has their favorites as to which bottle works best for their babies, this one works well for us.
7. Summer Infant Organic Swaddler- Luca was never happy to have his arms swaddled, he has this overwhelming need to be free and so it was really hard when we got home from the hospital to try and wrap him into a little burrito. He wouldn't allow it. We would swaddle him bellow the arms but his strong legs would loosen the whole wrap and then it became a suffocating hazard having loose blanket surrounding him. In came these swaddles. They velcro. enough said. Luca sleeps in one of these every night. It keeps him warm, snug, and he can flail those arms all he wants! If there is an art to the swaddle, these are the Michael Angelos.
8. Angelcare Bath- It's really difficult to describe how this bath works, but it has little holes that allow the water to drain as you scrub your little one up. It's portable, compact, and easy to clean. I'm so glad we decided on this one.
9. Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin- I know everyone raves about these and it isn't without reason. These are great. It's way worth it to go with the bamboo material because it is so much softer than their traditional blankets. We didn't care for these as swaddlers because Luca just could not be contained and his arms were always flailing out, but we loved them as blankets. They are breathable and cozy, and are perfect in the stroller, carseat, mamaroo, what have you.
10. Baby Delight Snuggle Nest- Lastly, but certainly not least, the snuggle nest. This was a hand me down from our neighbors who have three kids and know their way around all things babies and toddlers. At first we were using this as his changing pad, but it has since become his bed. He'll eventually sleep in his bassinet, but right now it's just too spacious for him. We plop this thing right between us in bed and he sleeps sounder than ever. Did I mention Luca only wakes up once a night? I know not everyones newborn is like this, so please no hate mail!
*This is not a sponsored post.
