Wednesday, January 25, 2012

our "after" favorites...

As promised... we have a little list of favorites for you now that baby boat shoes has been here 6 weeks!


1. Pampers - diaper of choice for now! 
**still our top pick... love the indicator for a wet diaper!
2. Bonkie swaddle - so soft, so snuggly and so EASY! 
**however, if your little one likes one arm out when swaddled... it doesnt work as well... we like these for swaddling these days. easy to use, comfy and you can swaddle arms down, up or one up and one down!
3. Little Giraffe blanket - again, so soft, so snuggly and will be perfect for chilly Winter. Packed and ready in the hospital bag. 
**still love it but boat shoes gets a little uncertain about the silky side that baby boat shoes will slip out ;)
4. Dr. Browns bottles - everything I read and everything I have heard RAVES about these bottles even for babies who primarily nurse. we shall see! 
**If you are a nursing mom and want to intro bottles... get these! we tried the tommy tippee and for a baby who loves to nurse and loves to eat, he drank so fast that boat shoes had to stop him every minute... dr. browns help regulate and no gulping!
5. hooded pottery barn kids towel - could it be cuter? our little guy will be snuggled in the adorable frog 
**love them love them love them! and love the wash cloths.. they are a little thicker than the typical baby wash cloth which is nice to keep one on his belly during bath time to keep him warm!
6. aden and anais anything! - the blankets, burp cloths and bibs are SO SO soft, snuggly and PRACTICAL 
**Love them as well! we use the blankets daily!
7. whale tub - Our best little buddy EG loves hers and we know that baby boy boat shoes will too! 
**we havent gotten to use it yet but cousin Sam loved it!
8. puj tub - genious for newborn bathing and traveling... Naples what?! 
**It is a dream to bathe a little punkin in this... not too much water, just enough padding and no slip!
9. sophie for the bath - the perfect bath toy 
**We are still focused on singing and splashing, getting used to the bath but one day, we will love her!
10. chicco key fit caddy - the car seat snaps in perfectly, its chic, rolls well and EASY to fold... did I mention it only weighs 8 pounds? 
**A MUST HAVE for any Chicco car seat owner! Dont buy the big travel system... invest in this and a great running stroller!
11. regular Sophie - apparently the best toy in the world...I know Lilly and Murphy like to hear it squeak 
**baby boat shoes likes to suck on Sophie's nose at this point, lets see how the relationship evolves!
12. Chicco key fit 30 car seat - safe, reliable, chic, easy to carry, snaps into bases and key fit caddy with ease and did I mention safe?! 
**Love it... and love the way it snaps into all of the bases!
13. navy blue BOB revolution WITH handlebar console - with the car seat adapter our little one can go on great walks and once he is a little bigger can bop right in the stroller, the shocks are amazing, it handles beautifully and the cup holders are perfect for any type of beverage. 
**FAVORITE!!! A must have!


additional favorites...


14. soothies pacifiers from the hospital - they use them in the newborn nursery for a reason, they are wonderful


15. the moby wrap - for those snuggly days when little one just wants to be held all day, for walks and for bopping around... wonderful. Just watch the video online and its easy breezy!


16. soothing sounds cloud B giraffe - perfect for the white noise that every book and every mom blog raves about!


17. a must have for every nursing mom...


18. my favorite nursing cover... there are some with ruffles but I went simple :)


19. purell. flu season.. newborn baby.. a must have!


20. video monitor... we debated this one and are so glad we have the video. Its great to see what it is that is causing the melt down.. lost the pacy, unswaddled or just mad!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

a precious little one...

We had the most amazing photographer come to our home to capture our precious little one... ENJOY!

Click the logo below to access the photos. The password is: cheers






Tuesday, December 27, 2011

in 2.5 weeks as a new mom...

I have learned more in 2.5 weeks than I have in any given period in my life, I am certain.

Just a few learnings from labor and delivery...coming home... and being at home with a newborn...( I know I have forgotten some... there may be an addendum!)


It is just as much work for the husband as the wife in labor and delivery... boat shoes was a support, a cheerleader, a hug and a hand to hold, an encourager and a great strength that I needed when I was sure I didn't have any energy left

Your OB makes all the difference in the world... mine was amazing. Intense, hard core, smart, aware, on the ball, supportive, funny and he loved that we turned our pandora station to jamming music before pushing time.

Epidurals are amazing, but they do not erase pain. People who say, "you wont feel a thing" are not telling the truth!

L and D and post partum nurses are Angels on this earth. Treat them that way!

The moment when you hold your precious healthy child is the best moment in life

Telling your parents about their healthy grandchild is a moment never to forget...and then seeing their faces when they lay eyes on him for the first time... unreal.

Pandora 24/7 in the hospital is inviting, warm and encourages nurses to hang for a few extra minutes to chat in the middle of the night!

Visitors in the hospital elicit big smiles and multiply joy.

Rooming in is a great concept... but with pain medicine and precious nurses, get a little rest and let that precious newborn make some baby friends in the middle of the night.



...and some learnings from home with a newborn



Baby boys make great fountains during diaper changes...be ready!

Stairs are for the birds. Move downstairs.

Babies require lots of laundry.

Breastfeeding is hard work. Hire a lactation consultant

Be careful drinking ginger ale above your newborn while nursing. It may drip on his face, and he wont like it!

Newborn photography is hard work as the photographer and as the mom. Take a nap before and after the session (and hire a professional!)

When Santa is closing with no line and you have a newborn- tack yourself at the end of the line so you dont have to come back... who would say no to a newborn?

Moby wraps are the coolest thing since sliced bread. I like pretending to be an African woman in it!

Sleeping is hard for a newborn.

Laughter is important.

Ask your mom- everything. She has done it before and chances are she will be the best resource of your life.

Let your mom live with you. Ask your mom to live with you. Ask your mom to live with you until your child is a year old. And when she can't stay that long, know that you will have a tear filled day and you will just want your mom back.

Weigh ins are fun at the doctor when the numbers go up! Way to go WCL!

Meals from dear friends make the evenings relaxing and calm.

Newborn clothes don't really fit newborns. Preemie size fit beautifully.

Snuggle them as much as possible, they change day by day, enjoy every second, minute and hour!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

He is here!

William Cullen Luther was born on December 8, 2011 at 3:59pm.

He weighed 7lbs 14 oz and was 21 in!

Mom and William (baby boat shoes) are doing great... he is perfect! Dad and the two puppies are still quite awestruck!

Pictures are available at: www.bellababyphotography.com
Password: 1208williamluther

...and of course more pictures to come... as well as some of the birthday party day... and updates on our favorite things!