How I've Survived the last 2 months

I can't believe that on Monday, it will have been 2 months since I gave birth to my baby girl. Time has gone by so fast! There were plenty of days when I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. It seemed that everything was going wrong. These are some of my favorite thing that helped me get through these last 2 months and retain my sanity.

1. Bright Starts Swing

I have no idea how I would make it through the day without this thing! The first couple weeks she was born, she HATED it. Anytime we put her in it she would scream. But persistence paid off and by week 3, she could no longer fight the annoyingly soothing music and sway of this swing. This is now the only way she will nap during the day. It allows me to get laundry done, dinner cooked, take a shower and anything else I need to do while she is asleep. She's sound asleep in it now!

2. Itz Been Timer

When we first got home, I will admit that it got tossed to the back burner. Things were so chaotic that I barely had a chance to breathe yet alone keep up with something. Now that things have calmed down a little bit, I love it! I use it to keep track of how long little Peyton has been sleeping and how long it's been since she's ate. This really helps me to keep her on a good nap schedule and making sure she is getting all her rest because I could keep her up and spend time with her for 24 hours! 

3. Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers

These are the best diapers! We've been using them since she was born and have had only 1 blowout and that was the first week she was born so it could have been user error. They are super absorbent and stretchy in all the right places. She's also had no signs of diaper rash which I was SO worried about. The best part is, they are better for the environment and contain no harsh chemicals like regular diapers. I was tempted to go the cloth diapering route but just couldn't bring myself to it. These diapers help me feel a little better about choosing to go disposable.

4. Born Free Bottles

Admittedly, these are not the bottles that I researched and chose to try out when I was preggars. We started out with Tomme Tippee bottles but had a lot of issues with them in the beginning. They leaked like crazy and I think were causing Peyton to have really bad gas. So, Marcus chose to do some research and found these bottles. They don't leak and she is less fussy after drinking from these bottles. Definitely worth the extra cash to get these.

5. Medela Steam Bags

I will admit I am VERY lazy when it comes to cleaning bottles. This was something I dreaded doing when I was pregnant. Between scrubbing and boiling water, I just hated the idea. Whoever invented these bags is amazing. All it takes is a quick 90 seconds in the microwave and all her bottles and pacifiers and clean and sterilized. A HUGE time saver!

6. Eric Carle Developmental Caterpillar

Everyone knows my love of everything Eric Carle and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Well my little girl is no different. I got this from my mother at my baby shower and decided to hang it from the handle on Peyton's car seat. This thing has been a lifesaver with keeping her company while driving. When we first brought her home, she would just stare at it and gaze. Now, she coo's and talks to him. It's so cute!

7. Soothe and Glow Seahorse

This little seahorse helps make diaper changes a fun time. Peyton loves staring at it and talking to it. Sometimes I even strap her into the changing table and let her hang out for a few minutes spending time with it. She also loves the music.

8. Bright Starts Acvitity Mat

Tummy time! Peyton loves laying on her play mat watching the lights flash and listening to the music. It's been great to entertain her while I can go brush my teeth, clean bottles or god forbid eat!

9. Soothie Pacifiers

I was one of those mothers that said my child would NEVER use a pacifier. I've saw the kids at 3 years old still walking around with it and I didn't want that for my daughter. Well, toss that notion out the window since she was given a soothie paci while we were in the hospital. Now it's the only kind she will take.

10. Boppy pillow
 
Although this is intended for nursing, I find it easier to just hold her in my arms. She does love to hang out in it though. It's become our morning routine to prop her up in it to "talk" to the ceiling fan while I brush my teeth. 

The past 60 days have been quite the challenge. They've been filled with lots of learning experiences but I've learned to go with the flow. My new favorite saying is "Whatever works".