Thursday, 28 February 2013

What We're Lovin' - Nine Months

This months latest loves - its a random bunch but we can't live without any of them!

I wanted to get something for Kaitlin to play with that didn't light up all crazy and play a million different songs. Those toys are great, but she has so many of them I wanted something different. I also wanted a toy that she could use to help her stand up and that was wood with non-toxic paint so that I didn't feel guilty when she inevitably started gnawing on it. While perusing the aisles of Target one day I spotted this and knew it was exactly what I was looking for, and it has been a hit ever since I brought it home. She loves moving the beads around, spinning the letters around and playing "peek-a-boo" with the animals behind the doors. It is hefty enough that she can use it to pull herself up without tipping over and she loves that she can stand up and play at the same time. And perhaps the best thing about this toy is that she isn't even using it to its full potential yet - there are so many other ways to play with it that she will grow into as she gets older and develops more. I see this toy hanging around for quite a while!






Something you should know about me - I am a sucker for point-of-sales crap. If you put it by the cash register I am bound to buy it. However, this time I was pleasantly surprised by my POS purchase - it is actually amazing! I came across these Indestructibles Books at my local Right Start and decided to try them out. These books are non-toxic, rip-proof, drool-proof, chew-proof...pretty much baby-proof in every sense of the word! They are AMAZING! I can't give Kaitlin her other books because she slobbers all over them, rips the pages and chews right through the cardboard corners. These, however, are in her hands all the time. We currently have two of them, though I plan on expanding our collection soon. We have Frere Jacques (admittedly this is the first one I bought and *may* have bought it more for myself since it is filled with pictures of pastries, cookies and the Eiffel Tower) and Baby Faces. Baby Faces is by far Kaitlin's favorite. She is obsessed with it - she sits on the floor with it in her hands, usually turns it upside down (why, I have no idea) and "talks" to the pictures of the babies on it! She will squeal and blabber and laugh at the cover picture - it is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. And the other best part about these books? They only cost a fiver. Anything that keeps my kid entertained and doesn't empty my wallet is a winner! I highly suggest reading about the company and their mission on their website, I think they are pretty darn clever!


(Unfortunately I can't find any pictures of her with this book...I know I have some I just have to sift through the 5000 photos that I do have...no joke...)

Ok, truth be told I don't really LOVE these diapers. I have been a Pampers girl from day one, and although I am doing a bit of diaper shopping around it is not because I am unhappy with the diapers (just unhappy about all the chemicals in them...more on that later). I find these Huggies diapers to be rough and scratchy - they often leave little red marks on Kaitlin's skin especially after she's been crawling a lot (which I find weird because these are for LITTLE MOVERS). I don't like the big Tiger cartoon and green color all over the diaper. I find the design to be loud and very visible from underneath clothes. And yes, while that is a very shallow thing to say about a diaper, it still bothers me. But - there is always a but - but they are extremely clever and convenient. Have you ever tried changing a baby that has recently learned how to roll over/crawl or wants to be on the GO GO GO all the time?? It is nearly impossible. If the weather was a bit warmer I would probably let her run around naked and not even worry about it (and keep a HUGE bottle of disinfectant around) but it is chilly - yes, even here in Texas - so the diaper and clothes must stay on. Kaitlin barely fits into size 3 diapers and Pull-Ups don't start until toddler size 2T so those were out of the question. When I stumbled upon these diapers, diapers you can easily pull on when your child is standing...or crawling...or trying to climb over you/the couch/the dog/all of the above...a little light bulb in my head went off (love when that happens). So, while these are not our go-to diaper, I keep a stash of these on hand for those times when absolutely NOTHING will make Kaitlin lay still long enough for me to put a diaper on her.




I know, I know. What the heck is a Scabib? I asked myself the same thing recently when I was searching for bib alternatives and this popped up on my screen. Turns out it is pretty much the coolest thing ever, especially for drooly babies. I'm going to give it to you straight - Kaitlin is a fountain of unending drool. Seriously. It. Does. Not. Stop. And when teething kicks into high gear (ummm...when isn't it lately?) the drool is out of control. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have to change her bib every 45 minutes. I don't even mind the drool, I suppose I have gotten used to it. The thing that bugs me the most is having her wear bibs all the time. This is going to sound really dumb and shallow - but I hate how bibs ruin her cute little outfits. And if I don't want her to wear a bib to preserve the cuteness? I better have 39205893424389054 changes of clothes nearby because the original outfit will be drenched in no time. I was searching Etsy for cute bib alternatives (think bandanas and the like) when I stumbled across Scabib. Essentially its a scarf and a bib in one. The front is super cute woven material that falls like a cowl neck and the back is covered in a terry cloth like fabric for extra absorption. A small piece of hard working velcro keeps the whole thing together. You can wear it like a cowl/scarf or as a bandana. The first time Kaitlin wore her adorable black and white stripe Scabib she kept it on for HOURS and it didn't soak through to her clothes *cue angels singing* it was a miracle. One of the things that I like the most about the Scabib is that it's made out of a lot of fabric and is super absorbant but doesn't hang down and get in Kaitlin's way. The couple of bibs that we have that come close to being as absorbent as the Scabib are so big and bulky they constantly get in the way of her crawling and climbing, which means more tripping/falling/crying. The other thing I love about the Scabib is how freakin' cute and trendy it looks. There are a number of awesome patterns and colors available (check out their new Easter prints) that are appropriate for little guys and gals. We only own one Scabib at the moment but I plan on adding lots more to our collection!





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