10 Day You Challenge, Pt. 2

1. My family.

2. Ice cream.

3. Hot sauce.

4. Cheese.

5. Rainy days.

6. Books.

7. Apple Juice.

8. Chocolate.

9. Coffee.

Baby Stuff I Love

I've seen a few posts like this so I figured, why not? Here are a few things I love.

Medela Nipple Shields

These things saved me and the Bean. She decided to go on a nursing strike a couple of days after we got home from the hospital and these babies allowed us to continue breastfeeding until I got her back to the nipple a week later. Now, with suspicion that a very strong let down is causing her gas pains at night, the nipple shield has made a come back for the first 2-3 minutes of each feeding. We'll see if it helps! Either way, LOVE the nipple shield for allowing me to breastfeed during the latch debacle and not feel like a shitbag because my baby screamed everytime I tried to get her to latch.

Fisher Price Zen Infant Seat

Really, the only time that the Bean sits in this thing is when she's already sleeping. It helps her to stay asleep while I either shower or drop a deuce. But hey, that alone makes this thing amazing. Without it, I'd be more constipated than I already am.

Medela Pump in Style Advanced

It's fast, easy, and portable. It saved me when my milk came in and I was so engorged I put Pamela Anderson in her Baywatch glory days to shame. It's allowed me to build up quite a nice freezer stash and Christopher now gets to share in the fun of feeding the Bean. Definitely a great investment.

Moby Wrap

I. Love. My. Moby. Wrap. Seriously. The first two days I had it, I cursed at it, threw it down in defeat, and said it was the stupidest thing I had ever bought. Really, I was just stupid and couldn't figure out a damn piece of fabric. When I finally got enough practice, this thing was a lifesaver. Especially since the Bean has decided that being held is the only thing she wants to do. So, thank you Moby Wrap for giving me the use of my hands back and for keeping my baby happy.

CoCaLo Jacana Soft & Cozy Blanket

The Bean is too young to have a favorite blanky but this is my favorite blanky for her. It goes everywhere with us and I mean everywhere. It is so freakin soft and warm and she seems super comfy with it.

Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Inserts

Cloth diapering made easy. Seriously. Just lay these things into Thirsties covers and you are DONE. They're super soft and they're really absorbent and Bean's butt is extremely happy with them. I was intimidated by cloth diapering but these inserts have made it so easy and convenient and I'm extremely happy I made the switch! 

Puppy Pads

You might think this is a strange item to have on a baby list but these things are awesome. I lay them on the changing pad covers. Bean likes to have a little fun during diaper changes and these babies have saved me from having to constantly wash changing pad covers. They're also great for laying down under your baby when you let them air out their little booties.

Recordable Storybooks

I have the book above and have ordered two more. Christopher is going to record himself reading these three books to the Bean so she can have her daddy read her stories at bedtime while he's deployed. We'll be working on some more but for now, these three storybooks will probably be a big time favorite of ours for the next year. These are great for kids who have a parent who either travels a lot or is in the military and deploys.

I wish I could list more things that the Bean loves but really, the only thing she's really digging right now is being in the Moby Wrap. Everything else just kind of sucks in her opinion.

Love.

Big shits come from little packages.

Christopher is very proud of his little girl. She has his hair, the same exact cow lick, and his skin tone. She even farts and poops just as much as he does. Proud papa I tell ya.

He is so great with her. I catch him staring at her all the time. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "She's so beautiful." I've really hit the jackpot with this guy. This strong 6'5" man has been brought to tears several times just looking at his daughter. I thought I loved him before, but now, I love him on an entirely different level.

It really is true what they say about not knowing what love is until you have a child. It blows me away. I just look at her and can't believe that this little bundle of awesomeness is actually my baby. WTF! I don't know what the hell I did to deserve her, but I'm glad someone thought enough of me to let me be her mom. Seriously, whoever you are, you win in my book.

I took a few pictures of her when she turned 1 week old. Here's the lovely Isabella.

I'll post the others later. For now, I have some cuddling to do with my Christopher. There hasn't been too much of that happening lately and that has got to change!

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Currently Reading:

Cupcakes and other happy happy things.

You know what makes me happy? Cupcakes.

Let's make a list of things that make me happy.

1. Cupcakes.

2. People who make me cupcakes.

3. People who don't make me feel guilty for inhaling 12 cupcakes in the last 3 days.

4. Coffee. I wish coffee were a person because he'd totally be my boyfriend.

5. Pepsi. I am on a total Pepsi kick right now and you know what? I am loving every minute of it because I normally don't drink soda.

6. Finding a place in Ramstein that does Brazilian waxes. Yay to being hair free and care free! I thought I was going to have to figure out how to wax myself for the next three years. I tried to do this a month and a half ago. I'm an idiot. Big preggo belly in the way and I try to wax myself for the first time. I spilled hot pink wax all over the carpet, Christopher had to spend an hour trying to iron it up, I burned my va-jay-jay, and I had to take my ass to the lady who does my waxes and explain to her why it looked like my underwear was hosting the Special Olympics. I. am. awesome.

7. Coming up with really mean things to say or awesome comebacks. I get so proud of myself for being an asshole. Christopher gives me gold stars (which is really just saying "Gold Star!" and giving me a kiss. Our friends hate us).

8. My iPhone 4... even though I only know Christopher and my friend Kathy in Germany, I still felt it necessary to have an iPhone. I still have no fucking clue what my phone number is because numbers in Germany are confusing as hell. And honestly, who the fuck is going to call me anyway?! Christopher is not allowed to ask why I need an iPhone. I just do dammit.

9. Bones. I guess this is the equivalent of putting your kid in front of the TV but I'm totally okay with it right now. Sometimes I walk into the house and immediately give the dogs bones to chew on. They completely ignore me and happily chomp away on their bones for hours. I just don't have the energy to entertain them right now.

10. My $9 fuzzy fleece men's pajama pants from Walmart. If I could have a complete outfit made of this shit, I would. I want to roll around in a bed piled sky high with these fuzzy pants and laugh like a crazy person.

11. Books. I wish books were people and could be my friends. I'd want them to hold me and read themselves to me. Why am I sleepy all of a sudden?

12. Christopher. He is so warm and cuddly and smells so awesome. If I could crawl inside of him and wear him like a suit, I would. I like the way his armpits smell. Don't judge me. Sometimes, I just want to bite his face because it's so freakin cute. Nom nom nom! The fact that he knows how completely insane I am and still loves me is awesome. Or maybe he loves me because I'm crazy.... which makes him just as crazy... What a weirdo!!!