Top Ten Mommy Things I Couldn't Live Without

I get asked this question quite often, so I thought I would post it here - which means it's automatically posting on Facebook as well. Gotta love efficiency!

1. Maclaren Easy Traveler - Hands down this is the best "travel system" that is on the market. I used this for both Cash and Holden and can't tell you how wonderful it is. We had a Graco travel system for E. Stone and I hated it - it was WAY too big!

2. Maclaren Twin Techno - Are we sensing a trend here? I LOVE the way this brand folds and rides! There is also a single stroller (just called Techno) that does all of the same things as our twin one, but only seats one. This does everything the monster Graco stroller does but takes up half the space. I highly recommend this after you are done with the Easy Traveler.

3. Baby Bjorn - I don't know how you could live without this. I vacuum in mine, walk to the park, grocery shop. It's the best for giving you two hands while still keeping the baby close.

4. Britax Car Seats - Yes, they are expensive, but once you have one you will understand that it is very worth the extra. The straps never get tangled and you can install them so much snugger than any other seat on the market. We started out with two Marathons (can be rear facing until 30 pounds and goes to 60 forward facing). When we recently needed to buy one more* we bought E. Stone a Frontier. This one is for ages two and up and only goes forward facing, but we can harness him to 80 pounds and then it converts to a booster. Can you tell I might be a bit of a car seat freak?

5. Fisher Price Rainforest Soother - My kids won't sleep without this - enough said!

6. Lascal Buggy Board - This little gem hooks to the back of any stroller so you can tote an extra kid-o around. If you have a child over two and are having another one, please look into this before you buy a double stroller! The best part? It snaps right off when you aren't using it, so it doesn't take up any extra space!

Here's a pic of our current set-up: The Maclaren Twin Techno (my #2) and the Lascal Buggy Board (my #6):


7. Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets - These are the absolute best for swaddling. They are extra large and thin, so you could easily wrap until a child is older. I also love them for breezy days - the baby doesn't get too hot being covered, but it does keep the chill off - and keep the old ladies from telling you that your baby is fussy because he is cold!

8. Trumpette Socks - The Johnny Jumpups are my favorite, but I also love, love the Cowboy Boots. We own the Dogs and Camo as well. A little addicted? Well, maybe...

9. Exersaucer - This isn't the exact one that we have, but I think they all do close to the same thing. I'm sure you can get really tricked out ones, but ours it pretty basic. My kids weren't big fans of their swings or bouncy seats, but they do like the Exersaucer and will sit in it for a while. When you need to take a shower, this is your lifeline!

10. Books - Just in general... We love books! Our favorites right now are: Go Dog Go, Olivia, God Made Families(the story of Joseph) and the Touch the Art set. Ask me again next week and I'm sure I'll give you a whole new list. We have too many to count, but books are our "go to's" when times get rough.

So, there you have it, these are my Top 10, in no particular order. Did I leave something out? Leave a comment to let me know the things that you couldn't live without, I'd love to know!

* I just took Holden out of his infant carrier in my car and put him in the Marathon backwards so he had more room. I haven't found an infant car seat that I LOVE. We used a Peg Perego for Holden and Cash, which I did like a lot better than my Graco one that we used for E. Stone, but didn't love. I really think I just don't like the "buckets" too much - heavy and cumbersome, but so nice when you have a little bitty baby who is sleeping - just pop into the Easy Traveler and you're off! Too bad my kids never slept well away from their cribs and Rainforest Soothers!