Baby Jogger City Select
I would have to say my favorite item we have purchased would have to be my Baby Jogger City Select stroller. I went back and forth on so many strollers. We looked at the basic Travel Systems that BabiesRus sells, and even the UppaBaby stroller that is very similar to the City Select, which so many of my friends recommended and I saw so many moms with. But in the end we didn't like any of the choices out there. We especially didn't like the UppaBaby because it was:
1. Sooooo expensive for the quality, it retails for $800.
2. Doesn't fold down easy.
3. Storage basket was poorly designed and small.
4. Felt cheap and the frame would wiggle when you would shake the handle.
5. The second seat was so small and could only be attached behind the first seat where the child's legs go into the basket.
I had no idea how hard it would be to find a well made stroller that wasn't outrageously expensive. When a friend told us about the Baby Jogger brand we couldn't believe we had actually found a company that could make strollers mom's and dad's alike loved. At the time even the City Select seemed pricey, but we really liked that we wouldn't have to purchase a double in a couple of years, which would be another couple hundred so we figured instead of purchasing two $200 cheaper strollers over 2 years we could invest into a really nice one for the same price, so for us it was totally worth the cost. I had also been told by so many friends how much the stroller needs to be one that you love because you use it all the time and if it isn't a good stroller your going to end up buying another one, which wastes more money. We had been given gift cards and it was also on sale where we bought it so we ended up only putting a $100 or so towards it, but it retails for $499 and we had to purchase the car seat adapter, which retails for $60, but both items were temporarily 20% off for the store's anniversary sale, which is so rare for this brand so we were thrilled. We then had $250 in VISA gift cards we had been given by our cable company for signing up with them, so we were so excited we didn't have to put out a lot for the stroller that we loved! We will have to purchase the second seat when needed, but I plan on finding it on Craigslist to save on costs.
The reasons I love this stroller is because of all that it does and its wonderfully features. Some features I really like are:
1. Converts to a double stroller without being super bulky!
2. It has a huge storage basket!!
2. Folds down so easy, this company is known for their easy folding system that's patented.
3. 16 combos as a double.
4. Sooooo smooth! I tried pushing so many strollers and so many were horrible.
These are just a few of the things I love about my stroller, I'm soooo in love! I would recommend this stroller to every mom!
Ergo Baby Carrier
My next must is the Ergo baby Carrier, I have the chocolate brown one, but they now have Petunia Pickle Bottom prints you can choose from. (Below). I originally was going to purchase a cheaper carrier, but didn't like the options and then I purchased the Baby Bjorn and returned it. Then friends recommended the Boba, which is similar to the Ergo, but doesn't have the pocket in the front, but I really wanted a pocket and we also went with the Ergo because we found out it is the only ergonomically correct baby carrier out there and won't harm your baby's growth. Many carriers actually can harm the baby's hip growth, spine and pelvic growth, which we were not aware of. With the Ergo there is an infant insert you have to purchase for infants younger than 4 months. They recommend waiting until your baby is 4 to 6 months to use the carrier without the insert. It is pricey, but goes up to 45 lbs, and I can carry Norah in front, on my hip or back and we will use it for all our kids so we felt with all its benefits it was worth the cost. It retails for $115 to $160, depending on style and print. I did see at Costco recently they had the Ergo for $75 without the pocket so that is a more affordable option if you wanted to go that route. Mine was the brown Organic Ergo and we purchased it for $135.
Below is directly form the Ergo baby site http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/item/BCO00101/, this is what they say about the carrier.
- With separate Infant Insert, the all-in-one carrier that can be used for all your babywearing years
- Allows parents to maintain closeness with baby while attending to daily activities
- May be worn in front, back and hip positions
- Comfortable for parent; balances baby's weight to parents' hips and shoulders
- Supports correct sitting position for baby's hip, pelvis, and spine growth
- Soft, smooth feel for baby
- Ensured safety and security for baby
- Increased durability and longevity of carrier
- Maximum durability and fit
- Ergonomic design
- Fits most adult body types, from 5' to 6'6"
- Carries babies from infancy (with Infant Insert) to 45lbs.
- Organic cotton - good for baby and good for the earth!
Reese Li Diaper Bag
This diaper bag is so amazing and I didn't realize how much I would love it. I originally purchased a Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag, the canvas tote style and love it, but it is a little big for out and about on a regular basis, so I now use it for trips to grandma's and times when I am bringing a lot of Norah's stuff somewhere. It is also great because it doesn't look like a diaper bag so I can use it forever.
I love the Reese Li Diaper Bags because they are so functional for a mom, they don't look like a diaper bag and can be used beyond the baby years. I really didn't like the cheaper diaper bags that are typically sold at baby stores, I wanted a bag that looked like a purse, since I was no longer carrying a purse around. What is great about it is it has straps that convert so you can hang it off your stroller and the bag is compact enough so it still feels like a purse. There is so much room on the inside and there is lots of pockets. I also like that it's open on the top, no zippers, so I can find things with ease. This bag retails for $150, but I couldn't really stomach purchasing a second expensive bag when I already had my $125 Petunia bag, so I got creative and went onto Reese Li's site and found their sale section and saw they had the Crimson Bloom diaper bag as a factory second, which means it's not acceptable to sell brand new because of small cosmetic flaws, but still totally usable, so they mark it half off. I originally wanted the bag in the picture below, but they didn't have it as a factory second. I was so excited so I order the Crimson Bloom bag, but then when I got it in the mail it was the wrong style, it was the messenger bag, not the diaper bag so I called them up worried they wouldn't exchange it because with the factory seconds you can't return or exchange. But they were so nice and were very apologetic and said they would send me another one, but then they realized the Crimson Bloom was sold out as a factory second so they could send me a different factory second. Well I asked them if they had the one below (which is mine currently and the one I originally wanted) and they said in fact yes and they sent it out and I have loved it ever since! I paid $75 and when I got it I could barely see where the flaw was, how cool is that!
Dr. Brown's Bottles
The next baby item I would recommend is Dr. Brown's Standard Bottles, I love them!!! They work so well and I know of several mom's who started out using other bottles and ended up converting to Dr. Brown's because they hated their other bottles so much. I have heard of some people complain they leak, but I have never had that problem, you just have to make sure the parts are in right and screw the top on well. The Dr. Brown's dishwasher basket is another must have, I thought it wasn't necessary and just something extra, but it works so well and makes cleaning the bottle and it's parts super easy.
Dr. Brown's Dishwasher Baskets
The Dr. Brown's dishwasher basket is another must have, I thought it wasn't necessary and just something extra, but it works so well and makes cleaning the bottle and it's parts super easy. I have two since I have six bottles.
Medela Swing Breast Pump
Another favorite is for all you Breastfeeding moms out there. I absolutely love my Swing pump by Medela! I pump everyday to build up my freezer supply for when my mom or Casey's mom or whoever watches her. I was so intimidated at first by breast pumps, but this one is so easy to use, clean and is so easy to take with you if your going to be away from your little one and aren't going to be at home to pump. It retails for $149.99, but I was able to purchase it with a 20% off coupon and gift cards. Love it!!
You are probably wondering what is the big deal about this giraffe named Sophie, I wondered the same thing, but I have come to love Sophie and Norah does too. This giraffe is a great teether for your baby and is made of all natural rubber and non toxic materials. Babies just love it and it feels great on their sore gums. It is pricey for a toy, but I know several moms who have used one Sophie for all their kids. It retails for $22.
Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets
I remember when I first saw these blankets and I thought what the heck, why are 4 thin blankets $30, but they were so cute. I never ended up purchasing them for myself because I couldn't do it for the price, but then I was given them as a gift and fell in love with them and would now purchase them myself if I ever had to, totally worth the price! It does multiple jobs! I love them so much because they are great for of course swaddling your newborn, but they are also great for a nursing cover, and even for over the baby's car seat or stroller as a cover, a burp cloth, play time blanket and much more! They are oversized so they are able to do all those jobs with ease! They are super thin and breathable, which is great for nursing and won't overheat your baby when swaddled. I know a nursing cover retails for $30, a car seat cover is like $15 to $20, so it actually saves you money!
Thanks for reading, hope this saves a mom going crazy trying to decide in the baby world of hundreds of decisions!
