{no regrets: microsuede}

Back in the fall of 2008, Zach got a bonus in the form of a gift card he could use at several places. Crate and Barrel was included on that list. We had been saving gift cards to Pottery Barn so we could get a new sofa, but decided to use the bonus gift card to Crate and Barrel instead. We had $1000, which doesn't always get you very far when buying a sofa. We went to the store, and found one we thought would be great. It was $999.00. Perfect! Clean lines, no back cushions for Sadie to smash, and it was made of microsuede. Hmm... I was a little leary of microsuede, because at the time, my perception was that it was a little cheap-looking. The microsuede had a very classy herringbone pattern, and a rich mocha color, so we went with it. It has been a great couch. Still going strong 3 years later!

Fast forward to nursery-gear. I wanted a rocker/recliner for Caroline's room, but had a hard time finding one within my budget. I returned all of the duplicate items we had received at baby showers and hoarded those gift cards and store credits until I had enough. I found one at Babies 'R Us that was a deep chocolate brown, had great reviews, and could rock AND recline without having to need an ottoman. Again, it was made of microsuede. I was hoping for cotton or velvet, but didn't have any problems compromising on that. It was a great choice. Not only has Caroline thrown up on me several times while sitting in it, but I have also clumsily spilled coffee on it more than I care to admit. All I have to do is soak up any extra spill, and then wet a washcloth to clean the surface. It dries, and you can't tell at all. Amazingly enough, it doesn't smell either.

When you have kids, or tend to spill a lot (guilty), this is one of the best things to have for your upholstered furniture. I am sure leather is great for it too, but that hasn't been in my budget thus far. I am so happy with both choices, so I wanted to recommend it in case you have looked past it too!

Microsuede. Thumbs up!

{amazon prime/amazon mom}

***UPDATE since I posted: (see bottom of post)

Most everyone is familiar with Amazon.com.

Most everyone is familiar with Amazon Prime membership ($80/year for free shipping on almost anything)

They also have a program called Amazon Mom. It works like Amazon Prime, but it is free... The catch is that you have to purchase a certain amount of things regularly to get it free.

Up until now, I wasn't sure that I could buy enough stuff to be eligible for Amazon Mom free. (I did join Amazon Mom back in December to start doing subscribe and save for diapers)

I buy my diapers from Amazon. They have a subscribe and save program that saves 30% on diapers if you sign up for a monthly delivery. All you need to do is figure out how much you would need for a month's supply, and then they keep coming as long as you want them to. Run out early? Just go to the site and add another shipment. Have too many, or don't need it anymore? Just cancel it with the click of a button- no questions asked. It's pretty awesome! (**Let me just note that Caroline has very sensitive skin, so I have to use the Pampers or Huggies sensitive. I have chosen Pampers. Some kiddos do just fine on store brand. You'll just have to go by your own kid and price it out!)

I am finally also switching Caroline's formula. If you know our situation well, you know this is HUGE for us. They have a subscribe and save program for the formula as well. So, instead of $22/can (where I have shopped around to find that to be the cheapest price), I pay for a month's supply (around 12 cans)... and they become $17/can. Wow! Pretty great, huh?

I could order this formula straight from Enfamil for $22/can for a case of 6. Their shipping is free. But, with Amazon Mom being free, I get free shipping and save an extra $60/month... JUST on formula!! That doesn't include the savings on diapers. Even if Amazon Mom wasn't free, it almost pays for my Amazon Prime membership in just one month's time.

I buy gifts and things I can't find in Beaumont (imagine that) off Amazon all the time.

I seriously ♥ Amazon.com

P.S. UPDATE: (I am just going to warn people that Amazon Mom only allows for Prime Membership benefits for up to a year. I just spent an hour on the phone with Amazon customer service arguing about what it says on their website. I cancelled my Amazon Prime membership, and went to order a carseat, and it wouldn't give me the prime member free shipping like it is supposed to. ARGH. I don't heart amazon as much as I thought. I think it's still worth it, but only for the first year! I am going to reinstate my prime membership because I buy other things from Amazon and the Amazon mom benefits only apply to "qualifying" baby items. What a crock. I have spent about $1000 on amazon in the past 8 months on just baby stuff alone. Geez....)

More Favorite Baby/Mama products... *Possible TMI*

This post has to do with my favorite things surrounding breastfeeding.
For those who don't care about this particular topic, consider yourself warned!
(Note: Click on the picture to link to the site)

Best advice I read/heard from several people is to stick with breastfeeding (if you can and want to--I'm not a breastfeeding nazi) for at least 6 weeks. I also hated when people would tell me it wasn't going to hurt. It does hurt, but it gets better. And, if breastfeeding is what you want to do/can do, you can do it. But, there's absolutely no shame in not doing it. I definitely believe it's the right of the Mother to decide what is best for herself and the baby. I can't make enough milk for Caroline because I have to exclusively pump. It is definitely not easy (in fact, it's pretty hard!), but it's what I chose to do in order to keep breastfeeding as long as possible. It was not what I planned on doing, but that's the decision I made for us. Anyways, I digress...

In no particular order...My favorites:

Lanolin. You will need this for a good 6 weeks if you're like me... It makes a huuuge difference!

The Lansinoh Bra pads are just as soft as medela and almost half the price. (Also goes for breastmilk bags if you are saving)

The Boppy Pregnancy pillow. Yes, this is for when you are pregnant and need some support under your belly when you sleep or lie down. But, it was perfect for breast-feeding. Waaaaay better than the tradional Boppy U-shaped pillow, which I only have used to prop Caroline up.

I only have this particular pump (Medela InStyle), so I can't speak on other pumps, but I can say this one is phenomenal. My best girlfriends bought it for me at a shower, and I never knew how much I would use it. I wasn't planning on pumping exclusively, but when that happened, I was so glad I had a great pump. And, one that can do both sides at once!

Best nursing bra. ever. It is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. It is well worth its weight in gold... ($50, but like I said, SO worth it!)

Ok. This one has to do with me pumping a lot. So, you may want to wait until you know if you'll be using it. It's a nursing/pumping bra, so you can pump on the go (I pump in the car when we're traveling) and I can sit and do other things on the couch while I pump during the day. It's A-mazing. And only $30!

More products I love

Visit my earlier post here on my favorite baby products for the first 3 months...

*Click on the pictures to visit the link! Target Up & Up Brand baby wipes

Just as soft as pampers sensitive, less expensive, and bigger!

Sophie the Giraffe
must-have for any teething baby. must.



Bumbo Baby Seat plus tray
already great for learning to sit up...
add the tray and there's another way to use it!
Easy to feed and clean up rice cereal that
goes everywhere but in her mouth. just sayin'.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Milk Feeding Bib
To avoid rash in the crevices of their necks
(I found this out too late! Zach doesn't call it her gobbler for nothing! :)
Easy to wash and works perfectly.

Mamacita Kate's Must Haves

First off, I am going to say one of the best things I have heard and read:

Every.Baby.Is.Different.

Every.Baby.Is.Different.

Every.Baby.Is.Different.

It's as simple as that. What has worked for me and Caroline may not work for you or anyone else for that matter. I read that Babies are like "snowflakes"... each one unique in their own ways. So true!

There have been some things that I have found are life-changing...and some things I have kinda been disappointed in. So, without further ado, here are some of my Baby Recommendations:

MUST HAVES: (for the first 3 months at least....)

1.) Books. I know what you're probably thinking. Just bear with me.

The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
This is a must-read, and an easy-read. I would highly recommend reading it while pregnant instead of a couple of weeks in while you are struggling to stay awake :) It goes through feeding (whether breast-feeding or bottle-feeding) and setting a sleep schedule. Highly important!

On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo
This is very similar in theory to the Baby Whisperer book, although this one is more theory/research-based and Tracy's book is more anecdotal. Both are incredible and both are highly recommended by many! Also, there is a blog that goes along with this book--written by a mom who helps you learn how to implement their philosophies. IN-credible. Seriously. Just go visit it once and tell me you don't get sucked in reading. OK, well, I did. I digress...

**NOTE: If I had actually read either of the above books BEFORE I had my daughter, it would have saved me a lot of anxiety, worry, and tears. I attribute the fact that Caroline is sleeping 11-12 hours per night at 3 months to these books. And God's grace. Period.**

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Mark Weissbluth
I am still in the process of reading this, but this is one of those "life-changing" books... I don't know if I could think of anything more important than how to make sure your child gets the most/optimum amount of rest at any given age.

Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields
This book is seriously amazing for when you are pregnant. I bought this before I started registering and it saved me a LOT of time and energy researching products. Little do you know before you have a kid HOW many products you will need... And the ratings...and certifications...and recalls... oh my! I was able to figure out which crib to buy, which alone, made the $12 price tag worth every penny. It also helps you figure out what products you can save on, and what products are "you get what you pay for"...

2.) Carseat: Graco Snugride Infant Carseat--up to 22 lbs.
I chose this carseat, not only because it has some of the highest crash test ratings, but because it is the lightest carseat on the market. Without a baby inside, it weighs something like 7lbs. Your arms will thank you. Promise. **It also is able to "snap" into most stroller systems if you don't want to get the plastic stroller/travel system that goes with all of their carseats.

3.) Stroller: Baby Jogger City Mini
We weren't able to get a big jogging stroller (like the BOB, (highly recommended by many) which we're going to save up for :) However, I didn't want to get a travel system from Graco because I am not a fan of the plasticky looking strollers. That's just my own personal preference, though. I digress.... The City Mini (and most of the other Baby Jogger brand-which are all awesome!) folds up very easily... no-ridiculously easily... Watch here

I was also able to purchase a bar that clicks into the stroller so my carseat can fit right on top... Which allowed us to only have to purchase one stroller at this point so we didn't have to wait until she could hold her head up.

4.) Nap Nanny
This is an infant sleep-aid/positioner that allows babies to sleep at a 30 degree incline. This is extremely important when they have Reflux (and Caroline has a monster case of it) or even for when they have colds--you can keep their heads up to help with congestion. A wonderful, wonderful friend recommended and allowed us to borrow hers, but I think we'll probably buy one before we have our next kiddo. It is a bit pricey, but it was so worth it for us.

5.) Crib: Graco
Most people go to furniture stores and buy a whole set of baby furniture...which is great. However, cribs and baby furniture are very tricky because of the ratings. Many of the same brands go by their own name, but it's really the same crib from the same manufacturer. If that makes sense... My first thought was that I would get our crib from Pottery Barn Kids- thinking this would be a "you get what you pay for" type of deal... Not. At. All. Pottery Barn Kids and Restoration Hardware (two of my favorite stores) both got C-ratings on their cribs. Not quite what I was hoping for.

Graco cribs are made by La Jobi (Who also makes Babi Italia and Bona Vita cribs) and the Graco line is not only cost-effective, but is certified and A-rated. Our crib was a mere $160! Crazy, huh? If you just search Graco crib in Amazon or Google, you will see they have many to choose from. They are all made of wood and are definitely good quality. We chose the Graco Lauren in espresso.

**Side note: There was a Graco Crib recall back in April, but that was for drop-side cribs. Basically all drop-side cribs are being either recalled, or just plain phased out for potential safety hazards. We have a stationary crib.

6.) Sleep Sheep
Cloud B makes these little stuffed animals that play white noise/nature sounds. It's awesome! You can travel with it too...

7.) Oxy-Clean Spray
This spray works SO well on all of Caroline's burp cloths and clothes... I'm on my 2nd bottle in just 3 months... it's crazy how well it works though! I found ours at Target.

8.) Swaddlers
I should have put this at the very top, because this is SO important! I still keep Caroline swaddled, even at 3 months, and she sleeps great! I know that most of that can be contributed to swaddling her. Here are 2 must-haves:

Aden + Anais Swaddle Wraps- made of lightweight, breathable cotton muslin, they are so perfect for Texas. You can also continue to use them after the baby grows out of being swaddled. Plus, they have very cute prints! She has some great information on the website plus a video on how to swaddle.

The Miracle Blanket- This is a straight-jacket for babies, but that is why it works! I swear by it- I use it every day! If swaddling tightly works for your baby, I highly recommend purchasing at least 2. I only have one, and I wish I had bought a second one! They have more colors than just the natural colored one. I have a white with pink trim one. **Do not mistake other brands as the same thing... this is the only one that gets the swaddle this tight. It's a no-brainer for parents... you always get them perfectly tightened up.

9.) Dr. Brown's Bottles
These bottles are seriously the best. I have had several friends use them, and overheard many conversations in baby stores talking about how these bottles got rid of Colic. Now, I don't know if I would go that far, but they do make a HUGE difference as far as preventing bubbles in the milk, and therefore, bubbles in their tummies. They have a couple extra parts you have to keep track of/clean, but if I had to go back, I would still pick these.

10.) Ultimate Crib Sheet
This is a sheet you put over the top of the crib mattress, so when they have a blowout or pee through their clothes, you don't have to take the fitted sheet off the mattress. They are completely machine washable and dryable and you barely even notice them in the crib because they cover the entire mattress.

So, those are my must-haves for the first three months at least... I know there are more, and I'll add those over time when I think of them.

WAH, WAH, WAH...

Here are a couple of things that I thought were duds:
1.) Itsbeen Timer
In theory, it's great. Helps you keep track when you're nursing, their naps, changing, etc... But, it's not specific enough and it doesn't save data. So, it's only good since the last time you fed, changed, or napped... Also, if you have an iPhone, they have an app for that. :)

2.) Any swaddler other than Aden + Anais or The Miracle Blanket. Waste of money.

I know there were more duds, but I can't think of them off the top of my head... I'll add to them later if I can ever remember them! :)