Some babies don't like swings, but for Christian during those first few months, a swing was a MUST.
The swing was often the place he napped best until he was about 3 months old. Not only that, but with every cold he got, we would often break out the swing again so he could sleep more reclined and be able to breath better.
Living in a townhouse, we knew saving space was going to be a must and we wanted to have a swing AND a bouncy seat so we opted for a 2-in-1 option. Our choice turned out to be bulky to move around the house, LOUD when swinging, creepy music, hard for Christian to play with the toys on the bar, and not an option to transport to grandma's house.
If only I had known about the Bright Starts Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing 10 months ago!
This product had everything I was looking for and more!!
This swing is SILENT. Not just quiet, but the only sounds it makes when swinging are the lullabies it plays! Listen to the video below...Yes, there is audio!
Here are some of my favorite things about this swing:
The seat locks into place to become just a seat (which is super nice for a baby that likes to pull up on things -- doesn't hit him in the head!)
The seat also has soothing vibrations and is super soft and cozy with an adjustable and removable headrest.
The toy bar moves easily to get baby in and out of the seat.
The lullabies are soft, sweet, and soothing.
Folds easily to be transported (or stored).
Self-timer can be set so the swing will stop after 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
Several different speed options (although for a heavier baby, the fastest speed is still pretty slow)
Battery operated so it isn't attached to electricity.
The only downside is the 20 pound weight limit. Looks like my 10 month old is about done using this swing already... Good thing his friend Judd (in the video) can still use it!
Hello blog world! It's me, Chandelle! I'm still alive over here...just trying to find my way through the boxes...
Just kidding, but we did move into our new house just over a week ago and we are LOVING the new place and all of the space! I sometimes forget we have a whole second level to take advantage of now!
But anyway, back to the boxes....we are actually pretty much all unpacked already!
It's amazing. I know.
Oh...and we have had internet since the second day...
So why haven't I blogged and at least done a 9 month update for Christian (he is 10 months already after all...) ???
Well...because I've been busy settling into our new space and routine and all that jazz...and trying out some AWESOME new products!!
Seriously. We couldn't have gotten these products at a better time and I can't wait to tell you all about them! I don't know how we have made it 10 months without these.
Life changers I tell you!
When Christian was first born and we were living in our 2 bedroom, 2 level town home, we survived the multiple diaper changes every day and every hour and the multiple naps by including a Graco Travel Crib in our living room.
I would bend over that thing with the bassinet set up and get pains in my back with every diaper change. But it was convenient. And I didn't know what I was missing!!!
If you are having a baby, you NEED a playard with a changing table, bassinet and DreamCentre like Ingenuity's Washable Playard!!
Over the past few weeks we have used this SO MUCH -- For naps, night time sleeping, keeping Christian contained and safe while we move items out of the house or into the new house.
Even though Christian is older now, this playard is staying up in our house! It has its own special place in our bottom level of our house for easy access to stick Christian in if I need to do something quick. It also saves me trips upstairs to change his chunky butt and comes in handy for those drop in play dates and little nappers :)
So you're probably thinking..."Okay, I get it. Get a playard. But any playard should do, right?"
WRONG!
This is THE playard.
First of all -- The changing table: I have friends with Graco Pack n Plays and they complain that the changing table is not sturdy, but this changing table has a 25 pound weight limit (meaning I can still use it for my chunky 22 pound 10 month old) :) Honestly, I wish all changing pads had these high sides! Its so much easier to change my wiggly boy on this changing table than it is on the one we have in his room! Love it! And the little attached side trays make it easy to keep wipes and diapers right on hand.
DreamCentre: Perfect, cozy little space for your newborn to nap! Breathable sides are a plus! There is a loose pillow that also can be used, but since its not attached it can easily be removed as well. Soothing nature sounds and classical music lullabies also can be played. The sounds are actually soothing and relaxing -- not all jumbled sounding like some can be!
Did you read WASHABLE!?!? LOVE that you can just unzip everything and wash it all! Even the sides! Easily unzips -- even the changing table and bassinet/dreamcentre. Very convenient and removes the need for having extra sheets, etc. My only concern would be for night leaks and needing to change the bedding in the middle of the night on a trip...so sheets might still be a good idea.
Pros:
In addition to all of the above, I love the colors of this product! They are more natural and match nicely with our home decor!
Cons:
The only thing I can think of that I didn't love about this product is something that seems to be the case with all play yards/pack n plays that I have used...the mattress could always be softer and set up could be easier. I always have trouble getting the sides to lock in, but that could just be user error :)
Love this play yard! It has been a God send over the past few weeks as we have been moving and I can't wait to use it with our next little one! (In a few years! Don't get so excited!!)
Christian also sleeps great in it unlike other pack n plays (true story) and stays entertained playing in it as well! This is a great product to grow with you little one!
Visit buybuybaby.com andbuy yours now. **I was provided a complimentary product for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own**
Hello! It's me over here! Yes, Chandelle! I know I haven't been around much lately but I'm alive and thought I should at least give a quick update!
For starters...did you know we are moving!?!?!
Yep. That's right. We are moving from out cute little townhouse to a
single family home in just 12 days!! Yikes.
Here it is!
Can I get some more boxes??
And a moving van?? Er...truck??
How do we have so much stuff!?!
Needless to say my time has been occupied not only with a busy little always on the go guy who is getting into everything, but also with packing! The second he goes down for a nap I get to packing. And well, we are currently out of boxes so here I am finding time to blog!
That brings me to the next big thing going on our lives...I think Christian is
transitioning to only 1 nap already!!! How did that happen so fast!?! Don't get me wrong {but maybe call me weird} I am SO excited for him to take just one nap a day!! That means we can go out in the morning and do stuff and see people and not have to worry about being home in time {so early} to get in a morning nap. Bring on the fun! Just in time for warm weather and summer!!!
At least this is what he has been like the past few days and today he actually made it until after lunch to go down for his nap...so here's to hoping that continues! Oh and umm...somehow he is already
almost 10 months old!!!! Ah! I love this age and he is so fun but I'm so sad that he is growing up so fast!
Stay tuned -- A 9 month baby update is coming soon!! *hopefully*
In all of the busyness that is our lives right now, though, at least I have one less distraction -- Social Media! Have you noticed the radio silence lately?? Well, that's because I gave up social media for lent! I have a bet going with my husband that I won't go back after lent...We will see.
You are probably thinking "isn't blogging social media??" Well....yes, I guess it is. But it isn't the distraction for me that facebook, instagram, and twitter are...or even pinterest!
And boy have I been loving pinterest! So many house ideas!!! Can't wait to get started on some house projects for sure! Be ready for some DIY posts! Woo hoo! That is if I can find the time to blog about them :)
Anyway, back to my social media fast...I feel like social media creates a lot of pressure and comparisons in my life, not to mention that it's a major distraction. So I'm "patching" this area of my life so that I might be able to see God more clearly instead and hear his heart for me and it just happens to go along with my One Word for 2014 - Simplify!
I just ordered 2 books for Christian about Easter! Can't wait for them to get here and even more I can't wait for next Easter and Christmas and every other season to teach him about Jesus!
Well, I think that's all for now. Hopefully the next time you hear from me you will be reading a 9 month baby update! Christian is only like 2 weeks away from being 10 months old! Eeek! I'm so behind in those posts and keeping my pictures organized...ai yi yi!
Right now I just have all of my pictures on my computer saved by year and season...So either a fall 2013, winter 2013, spring 2013, summer 2013 or Christian 0-3 months, Christian 3-6 months...I'm planning to switch to just month and year...but to get it all organized is quite the project. I don't even print them!
Any tips for keeping pictures organized!?!?
Did you give up anything for lent?
What are your favorite books or activities to teach your kids about Easter?
What is going on in your life lately?
I would love to hear from you! Thanks for reading :)
We are long past our days of nursing pillows, but boy are they handy for more than just nursing! These pillows have so many other uses, they truly are an essential even if you aren't nursing! During those early days, weeks, and even months, my boppy was my best friend! I couldn't imagine nursing without one! It made nursing so much easier and more comfortable...no having to hold a squirming baby trying to get him to latch and have him in the right position all at once...I don't have that many hands!
It was also very helpful for little people meeting our baby boy for the first time :)
The boppy was also great for tummy time, helping Christian to prop himself up more so that he would have to hold his head up.
After he got that down, the boppy then became a great support for helping him to sit! In those first few weeks of sitting, Christian was pretty tippy and not able to stay up for long unassisted, but the boppy was there to cushion his fall if he would start to tip (and sometimes even keep him from tipping!).
Around 4 months old, Christian was big enough that I didn't need to use the boppy for nursing any more, but like I mentioned, it still had a use at our house! A few months later, though I was introduced to the Mombo Nursing Pillow! Man do I wish I had tried this pillow instead of going with the well known boppy!
The Mombo Nursing Pillow can do EVERYTHING the boppy can do...AND MORE!
Hard to believe, right!? Well, its true. Oh, and did I mention they are the SAME PRICE!?!?
So why not get the Mombo!?
Even Christian's friend, Judson, likes the Mombo more! (below)
You can buy the Mombo Nursing Pillow online or in stores at Babies 'R' Us.
As a nursing pillow, the Mombo would even be my preferred pillow as it has a firm side which better supports baby during nursing and doesn't seem to flatten and slide out like the boppy often does. Actually, if you are familiar with a Brestfriend, it is this same firmness, but still allows for the other functions as well (tummy time, lounging, sitting, etc).
Some of my favorite things about the Mombo Nursing Pillow (that the boppy does not have):
Firm side (like mentioned above)
Soft side for lounging
Soothing vibration (easily removable for washing)
Better inner shape for allowing baby to practice sitting
There are also multiple different covers that you can get for the Mombo Nursing Pillow, just like the boppy so you can always have spares on hand for after those messy spit ups that are bound to happen!
Also, the Mombo Nursing Pillow now also has a toy bar attachment! When you are not using the pillow for nursing, plain lounging, tummy time or practice sitting, you can attach this bar for a little added entertainment. Turn on the soothing vibrator and you have something quite similar to an infant seat (but takes up a lot less space)!
Sooo...I'm just a tad bit late in getting this posted! You will be 9 months old in almost a week (9 days to be exact)!!!
I can't believe how big you are getting and the new things you are learning every day are so exciting!
I wish I could just freeze time, though and make you slow down!
Taking your pictures this month was quite the challenge...you wouldn't sit still long enough for me to snap a picture! So you are on the go in most of these pictures! Although, after I gave you a toy, you were a little more interested in sitting still :) You're my active little guy!
With that said, you are losing some of your cheeks and thinning out a bit.
You gained exactly 1 pound since last month and are now weighing in at
21 pounds, 6 ounces and are about 29 inches long (an inch longer thanlast month)
You are also very curious these days...you just wanted to check out that sticker that mommy put on your shirt! And now that you are crawling, you have become quite the little explorer.
You've started to outgrow your 9 month clothes and are now
mainly wearing 12 month sizes,
but also a few 12-18 month and 18-24 month sizes in some brands.
If I've learned anything so far in regards to clothes, its that you won't always be in one size and it may not always correlate with your age. Buy based on height.
You are still in size 3 diapers. After switching to Pampers Baby Dry for overnight, we stopped having leaks. But now we seem to be fine with your regular Target Brand diapers for overnights again...
You still nurse about every 3 hours and are now eating 3 meals a day and sometimes a snack too!
You are a little pooping machine! You seriously poop at least 3 times a day I would say!! Sometimes after every feeding! All systems are a go over here! ha ha Now that you are having so many different solids, too, they are sure stinky ones! TMI...
Your schedule finally has gotten more consistent.
Your 8 Month Schedule:
7-8am Wake up and nurse
8:30am Breakfast
9:30am Nap (about an hour and a half)
11am Nurse
11:30 lunch
12:30pm Nap (about another hour and a half)
2pm Nurse
3pm Snack
4pm Cat Nap (usually only 30-40 minutes)
5pm Nurse and Dinner
7:30pm Nurse and Bedtime (sleeping between 7:30 and 8pm)
Just won't sit still for a picture!
Eating your sticker backing...
Spit bubbles
Baxter is funny!
"Are we done yet, mom? I've got things to do and places to go!"
Likes:
Reading stories
Looking out the window
Watching Baxter
Your play room and going from toy to toy to toy!
Avocado
Fresh Banana
Snuggling for naps
Bath time and splashing!
Swimming at the pool and water in general
Sledding
Play dates with your friends
Dislikes:
Teething! For real this time...
When its time to stop playing
Sitting still
Tylenol...even though it makes you happier when you're getting teeth
Poopy pants
Being tired (every little thing makes you cry when you get tired...or hungry)
Being hungry
Being told "no" and not getting what you want (cords, mommy's phone, etc)
Milestones:
Your first 2 teeth!
Crawling
Your First Friend's Birthday Party (Nora turned 1!)
Your first sleepover with your friend Judson at our house
Trying more of mommy and daddy's food
::Pictures and Videos from the Past Month::
Snuggles with Baxter on New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve Kisses
You weren't a fan...
Playing in your crawl around car!
Bed time snuggles with mommy in our new rocking chair!
Trying to get on your hands and knees from sitting
Talking and pounding the mirror
Nap time snuggles
Play time!
Heading to the pool! I think this may be the last time I saw this hat...hopefully we didn't lose it at the gym... :(
Excited to go swimming!
You love to move around your crib! Sleeping sideways...
So tired but won't nap...resting on the chair in daddy's lap
We had some pretty chilly weather...so daddy went outside and blew bubbles and we watched them freeze through the window! Very cool!
Mommy and Daddy got all dressed up and went to a Christmas Party!
You went to play at your friends Judson and Jackson's house!
And then tried on Daddy's tie when we got home :)
The following weekend Judson came to our house for a sleepover! You had lots of fun together!
You also go to celebrate your friend Nora's First Birthday!!
We think Matt Lauer should shave..."If I shave will you shave, Matt???"
Our church, Hosanna! is opening a second campus. Before they put down the carpet we went and wrote scripture on the floor so everyone will always be "standing on the word of God." You helped daddy write his verse :)
Our whole small group was there! So much fun!
You got to hang out with Nora afterwards at Apple Bee's...it was a group date :)
Grandma Jill knows how much you love playing Patty Cake so she sent you a super fun Patty Cake book for Valentine's day that you just love!
With all the snow we have been getting, big trucks have been having to move it and you LOVE watching them!
"Mom, I can't move!"
All ready to go outside and play in the snow!
Your first snowman! Not the best...mommy and daddy need to work on our snowman building skills.... And get better supplies!
You think Baxter is so funny!
You started trying to climb out of your baby tub!
Planking
You fall asleep by twirling your hair :) So cute! Mommy used to do this while she would drink her milk when she was little!
Mommy had a mommy day with Auntie Amy and you and daddy had fun playing in the snow! Sledding time!
You started clapping!! And the first time was because you were so excited for lunch :) Of course!
Getting teeth is no fun! The only way to keep you happy while your teeth were coming in was to wear you in the moby :)
The more you move, the more you explore...wipes are sure fun toys!
Mommy started a "bad habit" and started laying with you for you to fall asleep for most of your naps and bedtime...It was probably more because mommy liked to cuddle you...We love snuggles!
You squeal like a little teeny bopper seeing a boy band when you hear your Christmas Pup start to play! You sure love that thing!
More exploring under the crib...
Frozen blueberries in the mesh feeder feel so good on your toofers! But sure make a mess! Bath Time!
Nora came over to play for a day while her mommy and daddy were away! So much fun!
We even made a trip to Home Depot. Everyone always thinks you are twins when you are out together, but Nora is about 4 months older than you!
Daddy took us on a surprise ice skating date! You loved watching and "posing" like you were ice skating. Can't wait to take you ice skating for real when you get bigger!
Trying so hard to crawl...its easier when you are naked :)
You were getting into so many things even before you were fulling crawling! With scooting backwards and rolling all around you could move across an entire room pretty fast! You love getting into the puzzles!
And the day before you turned 8 months old, you started to crawl! Here you are crawling for the first time!! Go buddy!!
And the fun begins...
"Most Eligible Bachelor" even rides a motorcycle...I'll be legal in 18 years...any takers?? ;)
You are growing and changing SO much every day baby boy and I couldn't love you more! It's so fun watching you grow and getting to be your mama! It won't be long and you won't be my "baby" any more :( Slow down!!
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