my top picks...

i was thinking the other day that technology and innovation changes so much (things have changed so much from harper to oliver) that i thought i would be neat one day to look back on the things that i could not live without and see how many of them seem outdated, overrated, or better yet, recalled.
so here is my list of things that make my life so much easier....
in no particular order of course.


1. Combi Tri Fold Stroller:
i have used quite a few strollers and i absolutely adore this one! my maclaren double stroller is also a gem, but this one is perfect for one baby. i can open the stroller with one hand and, because of the carrying strap on the back, i can easily carry it if the need arises. mine is rather old and worn looking, but i forgo buying newer flashier models because of the simplicity and ease it brings me...which, trust me, there is not much simple or easy about life with three little ones...

2. Target Brand Diapers:

my children pee alot. i mean a whole lot. not much has been able to hold the load, especially overnight. i was a die-hard white cloud fan because i learned with harper that the pricery models would not quite cut it overnight. i found the white cloud brand and it was love. but then they stopped making them except in the training pants...which are not worth the money...so i started having to splurge for oliver jack's disposables. that is when i found the target brand diapers. they cost less than 15.00 for a huge box and the super cute polka-dots kick all of those goofy characters right in the...well...bum.

i hope with next baby we will sign up for a more environmentally friendly service like healthy bottoms. the service is convenient, economical, and healthy for baby and earth. i was one step closer to this option with oliver jack, but cloth diapers are a little scary to me. but until then, i am a super fan of target's up and up diapers

3. Bumbo:

i must admit that i am not thrilled with the "babysitter" adage the company has given their product, nor am i thrilled with their color choices, but the bumbo has been a figurative life saver on many occasions. my trip to the beach would have been much less restful if it were not for the bum hugging shape of the bumbo chair. i would have had a baby on my lap for many meals. i would have had a crying baby while folding laundry. i would have had no where for margo to sit while i diapered my baby. i would not have been able to go on my 5 mile run. just joking about the last one. i cannot run 5 miles. so despite all of the chair's less than admirable traits, i must admit that i am a bumbo fan.

5. Swim Ways Spring Float:

i tried a less expensive float. disaster.

i tried this float. delight.

the end.

5. Munchkin Mesh Fresh Food Feeder:

i became aware of this product before oliver jack was ever born through betsy's blog. it looked like such fun that i thought "i wish they had that when my kids were babies." so i decided to have another one just to try it out. and it was worth the price of labor and delivery just to see the sight of squished up blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, and green beans. oliver jack just loves feeding himself and i like knowing that he will not choke and die.

6. Baby Mum-Mum

i mentioned these earlier in another post. they are great. we love them. they look like giant rice krispies and oliver jack loves them.