my new BFF

I've always loved JuJuBe diaper bags.
Now I love them that much more.

Because I was convinced it would be y.e.a.r.s. until I could have a normal purse again.
And then I discovered this bad boy.
The cutest diaper bag that looks like a purse (yet has all the pockets and necessities a Momma needs).
I'm in love.

My list of baby essentials

Friday, Aaron and I went to Babies R Us to register for little Miss Madelyn.

Wowzers!

I had forgotten how awesome and absolutely ridiculous that store is.

It is full of the latest and greatest baby gadgets that would tempt any new (or not so new) mom into thinking they had to have it.

However, we all know that some of the newest baby inventions are a total rip off.

I can't even tell you how many things I bought with Mackenzie that I didn't really need.

But some are totally awesome and make life as a Mommy

so. much. easier.

Anyways, with all this baby stuff on my mind I thought I'd share my personal list of baby gadget must have's...

Ergo Baby Carrier.

Helpful when you have baby number one

absolutely necessary for baby number 2 (or 3 or 4...).

Yes, it is that awesome.

Hooter Hider Nursing Cover

Any nursing Mommy needs. needs. needs. one of these.

It will help you nurse in public without being scared you are going to accidentally flash the waiter serving you or some other unsuspecting passerbyer.

The generations of having to try to cover yourself with a blanket (that never works) are over.

Thank goodness!

My Best Friend Nursing Pillow.

Hands down better than the Boppy (for nursing purposes).

A full size swing that rocks side to side.

My little colic baby (Wesley) literally killed our swing.

Like broke the motor from overuse.

And I'm totally going to buy a new one for Madelyn.

I'm not sure what I would have done without it.

Bumbo baby seat.

I love that it helps baby sit up before they can on their own and that it is light and portable.

I would put my babies in it (with toys) on the counter while I was making dinner or on the table while we were playing games or doing crafts. It allowed them to be right where all the action was without me having to hold them all the time.

P.S. I'm pretty sure Bumbo recommends that you don't put the Bumbo on high surfaces so they don't accidentally fall off (that would be bad). Obviously you have to watch them and make sure it's safe :)

Exersaucer.

Total life saver.

Both kids spent countless hours happily playing in this.

We kept ours in the kitchen/family room area so I could stick them in it while I cooked.

I don't know how people survive without one.

Jumperoo

Another sanity saver.

It's similar but different from the exersaucer.

I loved having both.

I know what you are thinking...

the iPhone?

Yes, the iPhone.

I used it to monitor my contractions when I went into labor.

And then I used it as a sound machine.

Now I use it to play videos for my kids when we are waiting for hours in a doctor's office or the DMV.

I can't even tell you how much more tolerable getting up to nurse in the wee hours was with this in hand.

I would browse my favorite blogs, check my email or facebook and listen to a sermon or some music and then, before I knew it, my baby was done eating and I was ready to go back to sleep.

Plus it is awesome for doing non baby things.

Let's just face it, it's all around awesome

and having a baby is a good excuse to get one.

So there you have it.

My list of baby essentials.

What are some of your favorite baby items?

Are there any new items out that you think are totally awesome?

Baby Sucking/Drool Pads for an Ergo Baby Carrier Tutorial

If you have a baby (or toddler)

you need an Ergo.

It is by far

hands down

the best baby carrier.

period.

It's a little pricey

but worth every penny.

Trust me.

I use mine at least a couple times a week.

And I am not naturally a baby carrying momma.

It's just so awesome and convenient that I use it

all. the. time.

Plus my I-wish-my-mom-was-an-attachment-parent baby loves it

so it makes both of us happy.

Anyways, once you get the Ergo you will notice

that your baby loves to suck on the straps.

It's inevitable.

Since it's kind of gross to have baby slobber all over your straps

and it's not good or convenient to be constantly washing your baby carrier

Ergo came up with these sucking pads.

Great idea but not worth $14-$20

when you could make them way cuter and for free!

So here's my version of some baby sucking/drool pads for the awesome-change-your-life-forever Ergo baby carrier.

Supplies:

-Scrap cotton fabric

-Scrap flannel fabric (or cotton batting)

-Scrap chenille or terry cloth fabric

-Velcro

-Small piece of ribbon

Step 1:

Create a 9 1/4 inch x 6 1/2 inch template or pattern for your sucking pad.

(I just used a ruler and a scrap piece of paper).

Trace around your template with a water soluble sewing pen onto the back (or wrong side) of your fabric.

Repeat so you have two.

Step 2:

Cut out a piece of flannel and a piece of chenille slightly larger than the piece of fabric with your template on it.

Layer the pieces of fabric as follows:

flannel (or batting)

chenille (or terry), right side up

cotton fabric with template on it, right side down

(see picture if your confused)

Pin in place.

Step 3:

If you would like to add a ribbon tag so you can attach toys to your drool pads now is the time to do it.

Cut off a piece of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half and pin in between the chenille and cotton fabric (please note the picture does not have the ribbon in between the two layers like it should be). Make sure the fold of the ribbon is facing down and you place the tails of the ribbon over the line you have for your template so you will catch them as you sew.

Step 4:

Sew along the template line leaving a small opening to turn the pads right side out. Trim the remaining fabric away.

Step 5:

Turn pads right side out. Iron flat.

Step 6:

Top stitch around the pads being sure to catch the opening you turned your pads though. Cut a strip of Velcro the length of the pad and sew on as pictured above.

And your done!

No more spit soaked straps for your Ergo carrier!

Yay!

After you're done admiring

how cute the drool pads look and

how easy they were to make

strap them onto your Ergo,

hook a few links and a toy or two onto the ribbon tag,

put your cute baby in

and give them a try!

Or if you're not the crafty type, I've made a few and listed them in my shop.

Check them out here.

Baby Legs for the boy...

My husband thinks Baby Legs

are not for boys.

I kind of get it.

They look a little like stockings.

But they are great to slip on with a onesie

or to keep in the diaper bag in case it gets a little chilly.

Plus I think they are cute.

So I took an old sweater of mine

and decided to whip up a pair for the boy.

They were super easy and quick to make.

My favorite type of project.

*Sorry the pictures to go along with the tutorial are sparse. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it a tutorial. Feel free to email me with questions :)

To make some Baby Leg knock offs of your own you will need...

an old sweater

some 1/2 inch elastic (as much as you need to fit around your babies thighs)

pins, scissors, sewing machine, etc.

Step 1:

If you have an authentic pair of Baby Legs lay them on your sweater sleeve to use as a template

(if not the measurement is approximately 10 1/2 inches by 3 inches)

Cut around your template leaving a little extra room on the side for seam allowance and on the ends to hem.

Step 2:

Fold your pieces longways in half (right sides together) and pin. Sew down the long side to make the stocking part.

Step 3:

On the cuff side of the sweater sleeve

fold each end over once towards the inside to your desired length, pin and sew in place.

(You are basically doing a lazy man's {or woman's} hem)

Step 4:

Ok for the elastic...

Fold the top edge of the sleeve over once towards the inside and lay your elastic on top just below the top of the fold.

Sew the elastic on with a zig zag stitch being careful not to stretch the elastic or the fabric.

That's it!

Easy peasy :)

Just like Daddy

A baby who drools like no one's business

+

A bag of Daddy's old shirts

=

Super cool baby bibs

Now Wesley can be just like Daddy

I used Aaron's t-shirts

button down shirts

and even a pair of Aaron's shorts and my old velour pants for the backing on a few.

Totally cute and totally free!

Owl Ribbon Tag Baby Toy Tutorial

Owls are super trendy.

Ribbon is awesome.

Fabric is my BFF.

What do you get when you combine all 3?

This super cool baby toy.

Perfect for my baby boy.

You can make one for your little boy or girl too.

All you need is:
some fabric, felt and ribbon

Step 1:

Draw and then cut out your owl pattern pieces.

Just look at my pictures for the basic shapes. They don't have to be perfect :)

You will need:

-one body piece

(around 5" tall and 5 1/2" wide when measured at the top of the ears)

-2 wings (around 3 3/4" each)

-one chest piece

-2 outer eyes and 2 inner eyes (not pictured)

-1 beak (not pictured)

Step 2:

Using a water soluble fabric pen trace your body pattern onto your desired fabric.

Step 3:

Trace the chest pattern onto a piece of "Steam a Seam", peel off the back piece, and stick onto your fabric. Cut along the line.

*If this sounds confusing just read the directions on the back of the Steam a Seam package...it will walk you through how to do it.

Step 4:

Using something round (I used the top of a baby food jar) trace two circles onto "Steam a Seam" paper. Peel the back side of the "Steam a Seam" paper off, stick onto fabric and then cut out.

Step 5:

Lay the chest piece and outer eyes onto the owl body until you have them positioned as you would like. Remove the last piece of "Steam a Seam" paper, stick onto the body and iron in place.

Step 6:

Top stitch around the eyes and chest piece. Then cut the beak and inner eyes out of felt, pin in place, and sew to secure.

Your little guy's looking cute already :)

Step 7:

For the wings...

Trace the wing patterns onto 2 separate pieces of fabric. Cut 6 small ribbon pieces. Fold the ribbon pieces in half, sandwich them between the piece of fabric with the pattern on it and another piece of fabric, and pin in place.

*Make sure the fold of the ribbon is positioned on the inside of the wing so you are sewing over the tails of the ribbon as you sew along the line.

I added 3 ribbon pieces on the bottom side of each wing.

Step 8:

Sew along the line, leaving a small opening to flip the wings right side out. Trim around the edge of the line you just sewed and then turn right side out.

Step 9:

Pin the wings to the front of the owl (as shown above). Make sure you position them so the open end of the wing will be sewn shut when sewn.

*I also pinned the ribbon tags on the wings up so I wouldn't catch them when I sewed the owl to the backing.

Step 10:

Pin the front of the owl to the backing of your choice (I used a super soft blanket material). The wings should be in between the two layers.

*I also added two more ribbon tags at the bottom of the owl for its feet.

Sew around the owl leaving a small opening on the side of its head by its ear.

Step 11:
Flip your owl right side out and add another ribbon tag inside the small opening. Pin the ribbon tag in place and top stitch around your owl, being sure to catch the ribbon tag as you go.

*FYI Don't iron your owl before you top stitch! Felt and a hot iron do not get along! Trust me :)

Slip your new cutie pie onto some plastic links

attach to your baby's car seat or stroller and let the fun begin (for your little one)!

Lots of fun colors and textures for them to look at and explore and lots of fun ribbon tags for them to play with or chew on.

And a super soft back perfect for cuddling :)