A few of my favorite things...

Sort of sounds like a line straight out of the Sound of Music, eh?

{1} Burt's Bee Apricot Oil - Parker had a small case of craddle cap. We used this on his hair during his bath, and the craddle cap never worsened and improved. Like magic, seriously.

{2} Uppa Baby Vista - Best. Investment. Ever. Parker slept the first two weeks in the bassinet and then transisioned into his crib so easily. Not only is the bassinet attachment the best thing since sliced bread, the attachments are the bomb too. We took him outlet shopping in the rain last week and he was totally protected from the rain, and then when the sun decided to come out in blaring forces, he was also really protected. It drives as smooth as my sedan and turns like a race car.

{3} The Baby Whisperer -
LOVE this book. It has saved my sanity, for real. We realized some mistakes we were making, especially as first time parents and this gave us that "ah-ha!" moment. Parker can put himself to sleep (9 times out of 10) and gives us a good 5-6 hour stretch of sleep at night now. My only mistake is not reading it earlier. We didn't start reading it until week 8.

{4} Ikea Poang Rocker - My little nugget loves to be read to and rocked. Just as he is getting sleepy, i'll put him in his crib so he can put himself to sleep. It is our night time ritual and i love that time with him. Plus, selfishly, i sometimes don't have to cook dinner because of it - Christopher does.

{5} Puj tub - Best. Invention. Ever. The first few baths were tricky, but since then, he LOVES bath time! He is so comfy, doesn't slide around and has room to grow in this. Plus, our bathroom is so small, i love that we can just hang this thing on our shower wall and bam! No oversized plastic tub to get out and store back away. Genius.

{6} Aden + Anais swaddle blankets - My sister bought these as a gift for us, and i use the constantly. Even in the warm nights now, they are light enough as muslin to wrap him in. They are huge, so you can get a nice tight wrap too! Parker has never liked his arms swaddled, but he loves to be swaddled at nap and bedtime. Plus, they wash really well! I think i have washed each one about 177 times now and they are still like new. Totally worth the money!

[ myregistry.com ]

So we are just about one month into the New Year. I can hardly believe it actually.

But, believe it or not, Christopher and i did in fact, sit down, uninterrupted and write out our 2011 goals. I just haven't talked all that much about them here. Not sure how much i will either. As they happen maybe? We shall see.

Anyway, one of them is to get registered actually. I feel like we are in "the zone" of being matched. The national domestic adoption wait time is 18 months, our agency average in 2008 was 5-14 months. (We signed on in 2009, so we were given the 08 statistic). So, at 15 months, we feel like we just want to get it done. I know all hell is going to break loose if we have to up and leave and travel and trying to get settled, etc. At least if we take care of it now, we have time to think and concentrate and do it the right way.

I am also looking for advice. We have the entire nursery pretty much set. With the exception of the interior of the closet, we are all set. So, in my eyes, we don't need that much - which is the thought behind registering at myregistry.com. I feel like there are a handful of things at various places and this way, we can add what we want in one spot.

Also, in addition to our stroller, an extra pack and play for my office, the carseats and bases and our video monitor, what else should i be registering for?

I can't breastfeed, so no pump needed. I am just going to try a few bottles? Rumor has it our baby might be finicky about them. i can't stop up on formula, so what else is there?

We are heavily leaning towards cloth diapers, so i feel like this is something we could register for. Otherwise, i'm utterly overwhelmed and let me tell you, i perseverate over pretty much everything. So this could be a process.

Any advice would be great! Thank you!

[ the great stroller debate ]

After i met with Julie and she told us to refocus our stress and frustration onto positive things, i have been trying really hard to do so. I started to revisit the stroller category. I have to say, it is the most overwhelming purchase for some reason. There are so many things to think about including do i want the Chevy model or the Mercedes? I can't get over the price ranges, styles and add-ons!

I am starting a spread sheet to see what car seat will work with what based on styles we like. We seem to gravitate towards a more contemporary body style, i love the bassinet and we both love a 3 wheel. Christopher loves the BOB model because i run, however when we looked at it in LL Bean, it seemed so bulky for everyday use.

Do we get two? Two styles? I'm so overwhelmed, i'm paralyzed in making a decision! Help!

| sources: [1] Bumbleride [2] Quinny by Maxi Cossy [3] BOB jogger [4] Bumbleride, my favorite so far |

What do you have? Do you love it, hate it? Any suggestions for us? Thanks friends!

[ don't drink and shop ]

It happened last weekend in Cooperstown and it happened this weekend in our home, at the computer! We went out to eat and after my adorable husband so sneakingly found a baby carrier on Kate Spade's website on Friday, suggested that we purchase it with the Friends and Family code we had.

So, too many of these:

Led the the purchase of this:

The funniest part of all, when he suggested it, he was quite sober. In fact, we even scurried into Babies-R-Us on our way to dinner to try some others on and see patterns to be certain this is the one we wanted. Yes, we barged right in front of another couple, (who clearly thought we were crazy) and yanked the carriers off the models and started hanging them on ourselves. We always get looks in baby stores. Always. We clearly aren't expecting the way most couples are that are in there. We usually chuckle as we leave the store too making up stories about what people might have said about "the random couple trying on the carrier."

So, by the time we got home from dinner, that is when the shopping began. And... don't think i didn't want it boxed and gift wrapped either. ;-)

Have a most wonderful week!