November Product Favorites - Mama, Baby, and Toddler

Mama

Since the weather is cold and I am shriveled up from nursing, I have been bathing in lotion. A friend gave me some of The Body Shop 24 HR Body Butter in Coconut and I really like how thick and hydrating it is.   

Rosemary and Mint Scented Products - Ever since the lady that cut my hair used Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner on my hair, I have been obsessing over the smell.  I didn't want to shell out the $40 for Pureology.  I found a Burts Bees Bodywash and I am considering buying this Suave Rosemary and Mint Shampoo.

Chobani Key Lime Yogurt is my favorite right now.  Maybe I can get back into making my own yogurt when life gets a bit more normal?  Maybe I will wait until Kate is ready for some yogurt?

MaskCara's post on facial shape highlighting and contouring.  Now if I could just confirm...am I heart?

Baby

Baby Gowns - Not sure how I missed out on this for Wyatt (do boys not wear gowns) but if your baby sleeps in a gown, you don't have to unbutton or unzip anything. You just pull the gown up and change the diaper.  I think Kate looks really cute in some of them too.

Marpac Dohm White Noise Machine - I put this right by Kate's bed in our nursery nook and I think it helps to block out toddler screams and just helps her to sleep better.  It sounds like a fan running, but doesn't blow cold air on your little baby.  I might like the sound more than her so we will fight for who keeps it when she gets her own room.

Toddler

DelMonte FruitBurst Squeezers - I bought these for Wyatt when he was too sick to eat anything and he has been asking for them ever since.  Blueberry is his fave (of course).

Art Stuff - Preschool has really helped to get Wyatt excited about painting and coloring. If he had his way, he would paint everyday.  A friend gifted this to us....Crayola Color Wonder Fingerpaints. You don't have to worry about getting colored paint everywhere. You just have to wipe goopy clear gel off of your kiddo's hands when they are all done playing.

September Product Favorites - Mama and Toddler

Mama:

Aquaphor - I am putting this on my lips at least twice a day..usually more.  Regular chapstick is not cutting it and no matter how much water I am drinking right now my lips hurt and feel so dry.

Progressive International Collapsible Cupcake and Cake Carrier - I should have just borrowed a cupcake carrier from my sister, but I needed one ASAP and I have Amazon Prime so I just bought the one that is recommended by America's Test Kitchen and Annie too. This was pretty slick, easy to use, and collapses to half the size.  I recommend it! 

Toddler: 

Melissa and Doug Grill Set - Wyatt got quite the birthday haul and we haven't had enough time to really play with all of the new toys, but this grill set has gotten a surprising amount of play time.  Two older cousins came for a visit and enjoyed playing with it too. 

Play Doh, Play Doh, Play Doh - Something we can do that is indoors.  Play Doh is pretty easy to clean up if you keep it on the tile floor or the kitchen table.  We got the Steam Roller, Trash Tossin Rowdy Dumptruck, and a Cutter/ Roller set similar to this. I think his favorite part is picking out the color that we play with. Mama's rules...only one color out at a time.


Construction Trucks and Tractors in a Toolbox -  These are almost all new trucks and tractors AND if you put them in a tool box with little compartments it gets even better for your toddler.  Wyatt knows every single one of these because if we misplace a specific one, we look for it for a long time before I can distract with something else.  Current faves are Backhoe, Forklift, and New Holland Loader.

I need some ideas for a little gift from baby sister to Wyatt when he meets her for the first time (the Internet says).  Anybody?  Current ideas...Mr. Potato Head, a Tow Truck toy, a matchbox car.

August Product Favorites - Mama and Toddler

Mama:

Fruttare Banana and Milk Bars - These are toddler and mama approved. I don't think they are healthy.  I actually haven't looked at the ingredients, but they are delicious.

Expensive and Better Tasting Eggs - I go back and forth on this but when you buy the organic, cage free, non hormone, these chickens ate gold brown eggs, they taste so much better. For the moment, I agree with paying 3 times as much for eggs.  I might change my mind again next month.

Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender - I usually use my Scentsy products, but I always go back to this smell from Yankee Candle.  I lub it and always will.

 Toddler:

Dusty Flies High (Disney Airplanes) Book - Wyatt is obsessed with Disney Planes ever since we bought the undies.  We have been reading this book almost every night before bed.  He likes these step into reading books more than board books for some reason.  Maybe he likes the pictures more?

El Chupacabra Die Cast Disney Plane - Let's stick with the theme here....Disney Planes!  And Wyatt giggles every time we say the name of this one. 

One Last Hurrah!

Wyatt and I are flying to Florida tomorrow.  He can only fly free for 1 more month and I had an almost free flight from Hunter, so we go!  I did not think about how a 7 month pregnant belly and an almost 2 year old are going to share a seat, but we can endure anything for 2.5 hours ri-iiiight?

We will get to see our Florida Besties Jacque and Collin.  We will get to slide on our old playgrounds.  We will visit our old lunch spots. We will go by our condo and see if Wyatt remembers it.  I can't wait to see everybody and everything again!

I am stressing about the potty training and traveling, but am hoping to find one of these foldable potty seats at the local Target or Wal Mart.  I don't want to go into labor trying to hold Wyatt up on the seat for a potty.  If I can stuff this in my traveling diaper backpack I will breathe much better. We are totally rocking Pull Ups on the flight but I want him to pretend it is big boy undies.

I also bought this Imaginetics Flying High Magnet board to help keep Wyatt entertained on the flight.  Along with snacks, and a few John Deere and Farmall toys. 

Today, we laundry and pack and flight check in.  Oh yah, and work too because I have been slacking this week.  Tomorrow we fly.  In 2 months, we never fly again because I can't imagine traveling anywhere with 2 kids solo.  Ha ha! Maybe not even Target?

Side note...my neighbors 2 doors down are having triplets around the same time I am having a singlet.  I am never allowed to complain again because whatever tiredness I feel, she feels in triplicate.  Whenever I complain about lack of sleep or being a mom of a newborn and a toddler, I will think of her being a mom to 3 newborns and a toddler.  Just puts things in perspective!

July Product Favorites - Mama and Toddler

Mama:

NARS Afghan Red Satin Lipstick -I put this on a wishlist years ago and somebody in my family bought it for me. I hardly ever wear makeup now but my face has magically cleared up (tomorrow I will break out) so I don't mind putting on a few things.  I love this lipstick.  It was listed as a red lipstick that is universally flattering. It is at least flattering on pasty white mamas that don't wear much other makeup. 

Litehouse Freeze Dried Herbs -These taste a little better and stronger than plain old dried herbs, but cost so much less than buying the fresh tiny little clump of herbs.  I have the parsley and the basil one.  These are sold in all of the grocery stores I visit over by the fresh herbs.

Amazon Prime - I signed up for Amazon Prime ($79 a year) not to get the free shipping, but to get a free book from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library. With this, you are allowed to get one book a month including quite a few best sellers. I do try to get most of my books free from the library, but there are wait lists and 14 day checkout maximums and I NEED books people.  I think I will actually save money by using Amazon Prime and who doesn't need 2 day shipping on all those amazon products. 

Toddler:

Burt's Bee's Baby Bee Wash - I have not allowed myself to buy this because I am trying to use up my lifetime supply of Johnson and Johnson's but the Burt's smells so good I am really tempted.  When I go visit the family, I get to mooch off of their soap.

Let's Grow Smart Flash Cards - Animals pack for 3 year olds.  This was in the Target $1 spot.  I can't find the exact pack I got online.  These flash cards have helped to keep Wyatt on the potty for potty training AND he is learning all kinds of new animals.  I love them...he loves them. I am going to go back and buy a few more of the other packs.


Ocean Animals Playset - I bought these at the local bookstore we visit frequently.  We go there to play with their big ol Thomas the Train set and I can usually get away without spending any money. One time I made this fabulous impulse purchase.  These sea creatures usually play in the tent that is a hit again this month.

June Product Favorites - Mom and Toddler

Mama Favorites:

Generic Brand Hand Wipes - I keep a big ol container of store brand hand / face / booties wipes such as these in my truck.  I don't buy the anti bacterial ones because germs are my friends ;)  These wipes can be used after your kid plays at the gym child care room. They can wipe off goldfish cracker paste.  They can even be used as a bootie wipe if you accidentally gave your kid flax seed in their smoothie. 

iPlay Swim Diaper - This swim diaper is washable and reusable and actually absorbs some pee unlike the disposable swim diapers.  I always buy a few sizes too big and then use for a whole swim season.  I think we will make it through Wyatt's whole diaper life with a size Medium and a size X-Large. 

Vaseline Spray and Go Lotion - So I try to put lotion all over my belly after each shower, but it gets to be a pain.  I saw this spray aerosol style lotion and decided to try it.  I am a big fan!  The pump doesn't get clogged like standard spray lotion.   Super fast.  Super easy.  I bought the cocoa butter one for stretch mark fighting.  I am not sure how long the product is going to last but we are going for a month now and I still have some left.   

Avon's Mark - Whipped Body Butter in Lemon Sugar - My sweet sister in law gave me this and it smells so good I could eat it.  I love lemony citrus smells.  I want to get the shower gel next.  Pretty lame of me to post 2 lotion faves this month, but this is my exciting life. 

Toddler Favorites:

HEB Chocolate Granola - I am sorry if you don't live near an HEB grocery store because you are missing out on some of the best pre seasoned fajitas in the world, but if you are lucky enough to live next to one, check out their store brand chocolate granola.  Wyatt loves it.  We put it on his yogurt for special occasion breakfasts.  I might put some on mine too. 

Indoor Play Tents - We are borrowing a play tent from my sister.  Wyatt loves it.  He brings his toys in there.  He asks for mommy and daddy to come sit with him.  He is happy just being in there.  You could use a regular tent, but these indoor play tents fold up and fit behind a book case so are easy to hide.  You need one!  Attach a play tunnel to it for extra fun. 

May Product Favorites - Mom and Toddler

I love to watch the videos from I'm A Mommy on YouTube but feel like I never have to time to watch them (although I can read endless amounts of blogs and keep up with facebook???).   My favorites are her monthly product reviews for Mama, Toddler, and Baby.  Check out her May one here.  She has inspired me to write my own faves on a monthly basis so here goes my first one.  P.S. I know pictures make it more fun, but I have to steal / borrow them from various websites so I am not sure if I should do this. 

Mama Product Faves

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara - I want a mascara that is easy to put on and easy to take off.  This one works!  This was a gift from my MIL.  Beauty bloggers rave about it and the product is a bit hard to find.  Walgreens carries it in store and Amazon sells online.

Enormous Ziploc Bags - I use the large and extra large bags.  Store your maternity clothes, winter clothes, and outgrown baby clothes in them.  They have lines on the bag for labels and feel pretty durable.  They can easily be stuffed into boxes for the next time your husband's company moves you.

Yes to Tomatoes Product Line - My face is still a mess and I keep trying a new regimen every month.  I have tried caveman-no wash, CeraVe, and Cetaphil over the past few months.  I am on week 2 of Yes to Tomatoes and even though my face is not any clearer I really enjoy the smell and feel and it looks like my skin tone is better...that or I got a tan.  I am using the Daily Clarifying Cleanser and the Daily Balancing Moisturizer (all of the ones that are salycilic acid free).

Toddler Product Faves

 Winnie the Pooh Airplane - We have a hand me down that doesn't look quite as fancy as this one and the lights and sounds never worked, but this is fun for hours!  He is still young enough to like push toys and he can sit on it and ride it (he picks this over a tricycle).  I can hook a rope up to it and pull him on it.  He can put leaves and sticks under the seat.  The fun never ends. 

Alice in Wonderland - The old Disney Alice in Wonderland is on Netflix Instant Play and suprisingly he loves it.  I am not sure why but it really entertains him...maybe more than Mighty Machines and Lightening McQueen.  I am cool with this because it is one of my childhood faves. 

Foam Water Squirters - Fun in the pool and fun with a bucket of water / hose.  This has taken up hours and hours of fun and Wyatt is almost able to refill it himself.