Are you a first-time mom? Make sure to use this helpful newborn shopping list to grab essential things you need for the baby, especially for the first 3 months. You might say that I take lists to a whole new level. I have the typical chore lists, grocery lists, to-do lists, and recipe lists. I also have a "front door" list of things I need before stepping out of the house, a list of library books to borrow, and even a "fun things to do" list for when I'm looking for, well... things to do that are fun. And this started even before becoming a mom. So when my husband and I were … [Read more...]
Toddler Beach Essentials for Stress-Free Family Fun
Wondering what to bring to the beach with a toddler? Take a look at these beach essentials for toddlers — a collection of must have beach items for your next vacation. Bringing toddlers to the beach isn't always an easy feat. The first time I brought my twins to the beach, one of them cried for 20 minutes straight while the other had to poop in the public restroom. Snacks fall straight into the wet sand, beach towels never seem to stay clean, and naps are unpredictable. You might imagine your toddler darting off the one second you looked away, or dread coming home with sand in every … [Read more...]
Looking for Games for 2 Year Olds? Here Are Our Top Picks [2019]
Take a look at our top picks of games for 2 year olds you can play at home! Includes board games and educational and learning activities that are age-appropriate for your toddler. As a first-time mom, I quickly learned that there's never one "right" way to play a game. Whereas other kids loved sitting in the playground swing, my then-toddler would complain any time I tried to sit him on one. It turns out, his perfect game was standing on the ground, pulling a swing, letting it go, and watching it sway back and forth. Kids can turn any existing game into one that suits them better. … [Read more...]
Top Gifts for Expectant Dads That Are Cool [2019]
Looking for cool gifts for expectant dads? Take a look at these best new gift ideas for your dad to be, perfect for expectant fathers. Dads have raised the ante with the role of fatherhood. While I've seen plenty of dads at park outings, I'm seeing more and more of them taking an active role in the daily routine. On Facebook, my dad friends post blurbs about helping kids with homework or taking them to doctor's appointments. In my own home, my husband isn't merely the occasional babysitter and instead feeds, bathes, and regularly engages with our kids. And my brother—long-known for … [Read more...]
Baby Things to Buy Before Birth (Make Sure You Have These!)
Want to know what to buy before the baby is born? Here’s a checklist of the top baby things to buy before birth (includes pictures!). Every first-time mom has wondered what she really needs for the baby, the items we should buy now before the baby comes. You don't want to buy anything you'll barely use once the baby arrives... but you also want to avoid not having an item once you finally get home (solo store runs with a crying baby are no fun). Perhaps you've already crossed off most items on your registry list, but can't help but feel like you're forgetting something. Or maybe … [Read more...]
Top Black and White Toys Your Baby Will See Best
Did you know that newborn babies can see high-contrast colors like black and white best? Find the most-loved black and white baby toys for your baby here! I had heard that a baby's eyesight isn't fully developed once they're born. This makes sense, since seeing isn't exactly as important to a baby's survival as, say, sucking or crying. And what is important for babies to see—their mother's breast to feed, or her face to feel safe—are all within arm's length. Still, that only means that newborns especially can see high-contrast images best. And no two colors show a starker contrast than … [Read more...]
Essential Things You Might Be Missing On Your Second Baby Registry
Wondering what to put on your second baby registry? Take a look at these essential items and must-haves you might be missing on your checklist. The crib, the stroller, the swing... I saved a ton of baby gear from my eldest, just in case I had another one. And about two and a half years later, I did decide to get pregnant again—except this time, with twins. Suddenly that single stroller wasn't going to cut it any more. Many moms debate the etiquette of having a second baby registry. Does it seem needy or rude? Do people even HAVE baby showers for their second babies? It turns out, … [Read more...]
Want the Best Transition Sippy Cup? Start with These Options
Want to transition your baby from bottle to sippy cup, or your toddler from sippy to regular cup? Take a look at these options for the best transition sippy cup. From messes to your baby's outright rejection, it's not always easy to transition him into using a sippy cup. Maybe the one you tried keeps spilling, or your baby still prefers his bottle over the cup. Perhaps the one you have makes the liquid come out too fast, or he pushes the spout out of his mouth. It doesn't help when you're so over using bottles (and cleaning the zillion bottle parts). You might even be looking for the … [Read more...]