P's Christmas Wish List

carry home dollhouse // heart body suit // colorblock body suit // sweatshirt // moccasins
chow chow plush // teething ring // book // kick and play piano

Next week is Thanksgiving and I am already behind on my holiday shopping. This year we are only buying for the kids which does make things a lot easier! Since Presley will only be four months old this Christmas we will be doing it pretty low key. December 31st marks my first day back at work and I am just so sad about it. So cliche but where has time gone?

I am so excited to take some holiday photos (which the rain bumped to next week) and Presley's first photo with Santa Clause should be pretty comical.  If Presley could talk I am sure she would wish for any of the items above!

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Nursing Essentials

lanolin // shield // tanks // nursing pads // camelbak // nightlight

Lanolin: This stuff might as well be gold to new mamas. Those first two weeks of nursing are...umm..brutal? That's being kind honestly. Applying lanolin before and after every nursing session eventually got my ladies to toughen up. Maybe nursing will be a breeze for you - either way keep this on hand. It's better to have it then run out to buy it after baby has arrived.

Medela Nipple Shield: This is an item I had heard about and wish I had bought "just in case". As I said in my postpartum post my nipples ran the gamut as far as pain goes. Cracking, bleeding, losing layers of skin...on day two at home I had David (bless his heart) run to Target and get me a shield. The first time I used it - it filled with blood. To which my lactation consultant said "that's okay" Yikes! But then the next day my milk came in. I still use this even though I probably shouldn't but it's made nursing pain free and so much easier for both me and Presley.

Nightlight: When I first started doing the late night feedings I would turn on a light in Presley's room. Not a bright one, but bright enough that it would cause those little doll eyes to open right up. I learned that if I only have the nightlight on it helps her know it is still nighttime. It also helps my blind as a bat self navigate the house without my contacts in.

Nursing Pads: You can get these in disposable or washable it's all up to you. I prefer the disposable ones because I don't want to be washing my pads all the time (which if you buy more than two sets you can avoid that problem entirely). I often pump a bottle in the morning for Presley's night feeding. It seems to fill her up more and allows David to interact with her and mama to get to bed a little earlier! I find that because I usually skip that big night feeding these pads are a must for the next morning!

iPhone/Cell phone/Charger: Whenever I sit down to nurse and realize I don't have my iPhone on me I panic. You're going to be sitting for awhile so make sure you have everything you need. I use this time to catch up on social media, read my favorite blogs (I am reading! Just not commenting as much due to needy newborn!) and watch Netflix. My sister and I started Scandal while she was in town and I was able to kill seasons one and two within two weeks. #noshame

Nursing Tanks: I live in these most days and they are my favorite for sleeping in. In fact I just went and purchased five more - I might as well make the investment since I am hoping to nurse until Presley is one. These run in price from $25 to $45. I have some of each and think they all work just fine. The ones that I am not crazy about are the Target ones - the clasps just are not as well made. I also think my chest size is not made for them.

Camelbak: There is something about hearing your baby slurping down milk that makes you incredibly thirsty. Like parched, in the desert, need water now. I always try and fill up my water bottle and leave it where I know I will be nursing. Trust me on this one!

Another invaluable thing to a new nursing mom is support. I can't tell you how many of you awesome ladies, my mom, my siblings, facebook La Leche groups helped so much. It's always nice to know you are not alone in your struggles - and it's awesome to have some cheerleaders along the way. 

Also don't forget to enter my Mini Boden giveaway for your chance to win a Baby Boden Gift Set. Winner will be announced on Monday morning!

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Newborn Essentials

shampoo // boppy // sleepsack // swaddles // mamaroo // pacifiers // lawn // boppy changing pad liners 

Honest Company Shampoo: We have for the most part purchased/received all things Honest Co. for P. It makes me feel better when I am lathering her up with shampoo or lotion and she decides to eat her hand. Honest Company uses all non toxic materials so it's perfectly safe for baby!

Aden & Anais Bamboo Swaddles: I have a lot of swaddle blankets but the bamboo ones are the ones I find myself consistently using over others. They are so soft and just the perfect lightweight blanket for those late night feedings.

Mamaroo Swing: Ahh this swing has been a lifesaver. We were originally gifted the 4moms swing which is similar to this one but with only one setting. Little Pres did not like that one at all. Thank goodness for an awesome return policy to Buy Buy Baby and a 20% off coupon to swap it for the mamaroo was only an additional $20. With five settings like "car ride" and "rock a bye" it's a big hit (and big relief!) in our house.

Halo Sleepsacks: With all the worrying you already have to do about SIDS and every other frightening thing you can read on the internet blankets are a big no no. These sleepsacks help me know that Presley is warm at night while she sleeps next to our bed and yet can't suffocate on a blanket.

Boppy: I know not everyone is on the bandwagon of the boppy but I love it. It makes feedings so much easier and I find that because I am naturally large chested I don't even need to hold Presley up for feedings. Anything to make those nighttime wake up calls a little easier.

Mam Pacifiers: Another pick that is total preference but my little lady likes to suck and I can't be feeding her and her pacifier or she would never be off my breast! We bought a couple of pacifiers until we found the ones she seems to like best. These are a favorite because they glow in the dark - easy to find yet again for those...late night feedings. You see a trend here)?

Boon Lawn: With all the pumping and bottle feedings we are constantly hand washing everything and the little drying rack is awesome. Quick access and cute on the counter top, can't complain!

Boppy Changing Pad Liners: Saved the best for last. These are a time saver! I can't tell you how many times Presley has peed and pooped on the changing pad. This saves so much time when you don't want to change the cover. I started with three of these and quickly went out and purchased more!

Anything I forgot? What are your essentials?

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New Dad Survival Kit

mug // body suit// diapers // wipes // pacifier

Since technically this is sort of David's first Father's Day I wanted to put together a cute little gift basket for him. He will be returning from a trip in the mountains on Father's Day and I think it would be fun to come home to a goodie basket of new dad essentials.

Mug: To be filled with lots of iced coffee and beer I am sure!

Diapers/Wipes: Self explanatory, it's 2014 you WILL be changing diapers! We are already signed up for the Honest bundles to be delivered to our door. Bonus Target will start selling this brand sometime this month!

Magazine: He can bring this while we are in the delivery room. David loves to fish and I don't know why I have never thought to subscribe him to a fun magazine like this one.

Hand Sanitizer: Newborn + Germs = no bueno

5 hour energy: For those late nights when mama pumps into a bottle :)

Snacks: Again for the hospital so he doesn't have to complain about the gross vending machine snacks.

Mask: For those diaper changes and blowouts!

Did anyone else celebrate dad's to be before your babe's arrival? Anything else I should include?

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Nursery Progress

wire basket // dresser (Craigslist) // chair // rug // pouf // pillow // lamp // nightstand // curtain (old West Elm) // Darling print  Pet Silhouette // fox print // mobile (DIY) // sheets // crib skirt // crib // stuffed mouse // woven basket

So far this is a smattering of what I have for my vision board for the nursery. I think I am going to get started on it the week I begin maternity leave - which is 4 weeks before little lady is due. I keep waffling back and forth between the rug pictured above (a steal of a deal from Target for 79.99) or this rug from Pottery Barn Kids.

I saw the floor sample for sale last Saturday and I am sort of kicking myself for not purchasing it.

I am also unsure on the floor pouf - I think something lighter and furrier might be more fun in the space. Obviously I will also have a changing pad and all that good stuff but I am excited to see it begin to come together! The chair pictured above is the one we purchased from Buy Buy Baby - it's very comfortable. Although not as gorgeous as the Pottery Barn Kids wingback it was a good compromise.

What do you all think of either rug? Too busy? Should I go for a solid instead? Or should I drive 45 minutes away tonight and see if that floor sample is still available?

12 weeks, 4 days until we get to meet the littlest Parker!

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Baby Girl Nursery Inspiration

crib // chair // ottoman // dresser // print // hippo // dog // lamp (SOLD OUT!) // curtains

  sheets // rod // crib skirt // rug

Now that we know we are having a little girl I can finally start envisioning that sweet little nursery. It all started when I fell in love with the frayed voile bedding in petal from Restoration Hardware baby. From here I decided that I was going to do a theme of light pink and gray with mercury glass. It was hard to let go of my first vision of gold touches but mercury glass ties in better with gray.

You saw a lot of this in my last post for inspiration but now that we know it's a girl the real vision board is starting to coming alive. I think the hardest part of all this is we are not certain of where we will be living. I'm crossing every part of my body in hopes that we move to a larger space (we're currently in a two bedroom home) but if not we will make it work. The bummer would be losing the guest bedroom especially when I am hoping family will come in and help me!

I have fallen in love with the crib from RH&B as well and I am trying to find something similar with a smaller price tag. However since we are not purchasing that gorgeous Room&Board dresser you see above and instead buying one on Craigslist and refinishing it, I don't mind shelling out a little more for the crib.

I've jumped the gun a little but I have already started registering, this way when we head to the store in April it won't be as daunting. Also I already own the curtains above and currently have them hung in our family room. However my husband has never really liked them so I am going to relocate them into the nursery. Win/Win.

Anything I am missing (aside from the obvious of changing pad and all that)? Any recommendations for must have's for the little's bedroom?

And seriously I went to link the lamp and it's sold out...it better come back into stock!!

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Nursery Inspiration

dresser // lamp // dog print // chair // lion // rug // crib // love print

So without adding fun little boy or little girl accents (although that lamp is girly!) this is what I am sort of envisioning for the nursery. I am a girl who likes the color white - which I know is probably ridiculous since children are anything but clean.

I definitely want to  purchase a dresser as opposed to changing table. I would like something that will grow with mini. I am LOVING this Room & Board dresser but we will most likely be purchasing something and painting it ourselves. I swear the items that David has redone and painted for me look straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog so I have no qualms about this.

I would also love a really large piece of art and I have always adored Iris Scott's work. See that dog above? She painted that with her FINGERS! Incredible talent, you can watch a video of her work below:

                     

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