Lilac is more of a spring time thing, but I love it year round. Certain colors

really inspires me. I get on these color kicks, and can’t seem to shake it.

Keeping my eye out for a great can of lilac spray paint.

(WeHeartIt)

Little pops of lilac can make a room so cheery!

(Designer’s Guild)

We are getting moved into our new house. It’s small, but really cozy. We love it. I still have lots to do, but I thought I would show some of it….

Goldfish for Hazel as a house warming gift. She calls them “ish” and loves them so much.

Hazel is FINALLY starting to walk. We have been working with her for awhile. She took her first steps yesterday. Here she is checking out some toys.

I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite baby things. Being a new mom, I am always on the prowl to find the best for baby. These days, it’s hard finding things you like….because there are sooo many brands and versions of everything! I thought it was very helpful when other mom’s would tell me their favorite baby things. Here are are few things that made life with baby a little easier.

1. Luna Lullaby swaddle blankets.  These blanket were a must when Hazel was born.  They are the perfect blanket. Wonderful muslin material that is large enough to swaddle with, or just use as an everyday blanket when they get older. The more you wash them, the softer they become!

2.  Gumdrop pacifiers. This is the only pacifier she would take. I know mom’s who swear by this brand. And they come in cute colors!

3. My favorite clothes for Hazel are fun vintage finds, but sometimes you just have to buy new things. Zutano is my favorite brand of affordable baby clothes. You can mix and match just about everything! I love the fun prints as well!

4. JJ Cole diaper and wipes pod. I am not the diaper bag type, so this is perfect. You just stick it in your purse and it holds the diaper, wipes case, and changing pad. So easy!

5. A must have for teething babies is Sophie the giraffe. This was the only toy that would keep Hazel busy. It is made from all natural rubber and they use natural food paint. So when your little one chews on it, you don’t have to worry about the toxic things that could be on it.

7. My favorite light weight stroller is the Quinny Zapp. This stroller folds into the smallest stroller in the world(at least that is what they company says). It comes with a handy carrying case and fits inside the overhead compartment on an airplane. Talk about easy! No more gate check!

7. Now before I tell you what it is, let me rave about it. My husband and I heard LOTS of negative things about it, so we didn’t even think about going this route. Once Hazel was 5 weeks old, we were tired, cranky, and tired! A friend that my husband worked with said that reading this book  will change your baby into a whole new baby. So, he brought it home one night and we read it. Hazel was sleeping through the night  a week later. I am sure you have guessed it by now. Yes, it is Baby Wise.

I was VERY reluctant to start this method because of the negative feedback. But once we started it, I realized it is common sense. Baby Wise is all about “parent led feeding”. You set the baby’s feeding, play, and nap times. Soon, the baby will  understand that they are on a schedule and their metabolism will become regulated. People always tell me how happy Hazel is, and they are shocked when I tell them she has been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks. When the baby’s needs are met, of course they will be happy! I heard people say Baby Wise constrains your time and you have no life when on this schedule. Just the opposite, you can get so much more done with a happy baby. I also heard people say that Baby Wise parents neglect their babies and let them cry too much(when it is nap time). That is not true. It is all about not catering to the baby’s every whine and whimper. In turn, you will have a baby who is obedient and doesn’t whine to get their way. We really want Hazel to grow up knowing we love her to pieces and we will give her what she needs, but we dont want her growing up thinking she can get everything she wants.

Ok, so there is my list a just a few of my favorite baby things! If you have any favorites, let me know!