My Lifesavers

I always wanted to know what the top things I HAD to have for Ella and the amount of baby products out there is incredibly overwhelming.  I appreciated all of the mommies out there who shared their expertise. My friends and family were incredibly generous when we were preparing for the arrival of the little nugget and all of the items below were gifts. 

So here we go, the things I could not live without:

Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing

Ella would live in this thing if I let her.  She loves to sit and look out the window and she frequently takes naps in it.  I can pop her in this thing when she is tired and she will fall asleep within 2 minutes.  MAGIC!  I love that it does the side to side and front to back motions.  She prefers the side to side cradle swinging, but we switch it up every once in a while.  It also plugs into the wall so I don't have to worry about batteries dying.

Swaddleme Wrap

This is my miracle blanket.  We tried the Miracle Blanket brand, but the Swaddleme was so much easier.  I love the stretchy velcro tabs, and I can wrap her super tight.  Plus, Ella looks like a little baby burrito and it makes me laugh.  

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg

I read this right after Ella was born and wish I had read it sooner.  I have discovered how important it is to keep Ella on her schedule.  She knows what to expect and I can read her cues and meet her needs much quicker.  I definitely think this is the reason she was sleeping through the night at 8 weeks.  A good read for daddies too! 

aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets and Burpy Bibs

I love this brand.  The blankets are great for swaddling newborns until they are strong enough to kick out of them.  I love the cute burpy bibs and snuggle blankets.  Ella always has one of these in her hands and likes to cover her face with them when she naps.  They also get softer the more you wash them.

Noodle & Boo Ultimate Ointment

Ella had a little diaper rash once and this cleared it right up.  I used the Burt's Bees stuff first, but I feel like it made it worse.

Skip Hop Diaper Changing Kit

I love this thing!  I quickly discovered what a pain in the butt it was to have all of the diaper changing gear floating around in the diaper bag.  I could never find anything and I had to lug the whole thing to the restroom when Ella needed a change.  Now, I just grab this out of the diaper bag and I have everything that I need. 

Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover

This is one of those gifts that I thought would be nice to have but wasn't on my priority list.  I was wrong!  You need this if you are a nursing momma.  The wired edge at the top allows you to see the baby without holding the top out and the baby can breathe!  I also use this at a car seat cover when we go to restaurants and such to block out the light and nasty people germs. 

I would be lost without these products.  Go out and buy one for a new mommy!

Birth Control

Austin was born when I was 16 years old.  Best birth control ever!  I have now returned the favor to my parents. 

Cole, Austin and E

Mom and Dad, feel free to send me a thank you note later.

Ella has friends!

I am so lucky that two of my best friends have little girls that Ella will grow up with.  Amy and I always (since 9th grade) said that we would live next door to each other, work together and have babies at the same time so that they would be friends.  We have come pretty darn close!  Amy lives about 10 minutes from me, we worked together at The Delta Companies and Ella and Madison are about 4 months apart.  Maddie has the most gorgeous bright blue eyes and is full of smiles. 

They must have called each other to coordinate outfits. 

Sweet Maddie! Look at those baby blues!

Ella's other best friends are Miss Zoe and Reese.  Their mommy, Whitney, has been one of my best friends since 6th grade.  She is an amazing friend and an even more amazing mommy.  Zoe is sasspants all the way and she cracks me up every time I see her.  She is a great big sister to Reesiebug and I know she is going to put up with a lot of crap from Reesie, Ella, Maddie and the new baby coming soon. 

Celebrating July 4th.  So cute!

I can't wait for Ella to be able to actually play with her new friends soon.  They better all like each other or their mommies will make them. :)

Ella's Day in iPhone Photos

I take more pictures on my phone than my regular camera, so I thought I would give you a glimpse of what Ella's day really looks like as captured on my iPhone.

MOM!!!  I'm awake!  Get me out of this thing!

So tired!

Well...maybe I want to snuggle in Mommy's bed

or with Lola...

Time to talk to Jacque the Peacock

Hungry baby

Crazy Lady!

Let's go eat lunch with daddy!

  

Oooops.  I pooped my pants.

Nap time!

When does Daddy get home??

Playing the piano.  So talented!!

My Hero

Tummy time for...CHLOE!

...and E.

I'm dirty.  BATHTIME!

Night Night

Ella Grows! 2 Months!

We can't believe that Ella is already 2 months old.  She has been such an amazing baby and we can't imagine life without her.  I feel like she is doing new things every day and I can tell her little mind is constantly discovering new things. 

Ella's Stats:
Weight: 10.9 lbs   54th percentile
Length: 23.5 inches   89th percentile

Baby girl is going to be tall like her daddy!  I was hoping she would be a shrimp like me, but we will have to see. She smiles all the time and is starting to giggle.  Her favorite time is definitley when daddy comes home from work.  She will sit and stare at him forever - he's so handsome! 

Mommy's new favorite thing is Ella sleeping through the night!! That's right, at least 8 hours a night of continuous sleep.  Heaven!  She wakes up hungry and smiling and I love it!  She loves hanging out in her swing and playing on her play mat.  Chloe likes to sit next to her while she is doing tummy time.  I think they are going to be great buddies.  Ella still loves her bath and being swaddled at night.  I don't know what I will do when I can't wrap her up like a baby burrito anymore.  It instantly soothes her and she knows it's time for bed. 

Ella's next doctor appointment will be at 4 months.  She should be able to roll over, reach for objects and laugh as her next developmental milestones.  I don't know if I am ready for a mobile baby!