favorites

I always appreciate hearing about other people's favorite finds, so I thought I'd share a few of our recent attachments...

Sophie the Giraffe

Our little teething monster sweetie LOVES this French toy which is designed to "awaken all of baby's senses." She squeaks easily and provides plenty of chewing surfaces that are supposed to ease gum pain. Not sure if Sophie truly takes his pain away, but at least she distracts him from it for a while!

Amber Teething Necklace

Speaking of teething, I am hesitant to even include this on a public blog... but I will. After going through three days of intense whining and drool literally pouring out of my son's mouth, I was getting desperate. At the recommendation of several friends I really trust, I decided, despite snickers from my husband, to pick up one of these necklaces (actually I got a bracelet which we put around Boone's ankle and cover up with a sock so no one knows its there).

The guy at the store said they can't keep these things in stock and that they offer a no-hassle return policy if it doesn't work. After selling hundreds, he claimed that not a single one has been returned yet. When we put Boone's on, I will be honest, I didn't notice an immediate difference. But the next day, and all the days since, the drooling has almost stopped. Hmmmm. And even the hubs agrees that he is faaaar less whiny. Coincidence? Maybe. But could these little beads used by Europeans for hundreds of years really work?? I don't know, but I'm kind of a fan.

Bobo Glove

You may think this contraption looks ridiculous, and perhaps it sort of is, but Boone can't get enough of it! My grandparents gave it to him for Christmas and it is one of the only toys that he never gets bored with. It's a rattle! It's a squeaker! It's a book! It's the BoBo Glove!

Healthy Steps Total Tea Infuser

Since Boone can't handle a whole lot of caffeine in his milk, I am doing my best to limit my coffee to just one cup in the mornings. To battle the mid-day slumps, I've started "taking tea" instead (ha)! I've never been a huge tea fan but this little contraption has pushed me to start giving the loose leaf a chance. I say it's the best tea strainer around. (FYI, I linked to this on amazon but actually picked it up at World Market for a way better price.)

Hidden in My Heart Lullabies

Our dear friend Val introduced us to these lullaby cds produced by BreakAway music and they are incredible. I can't recommend them highly enough, even if you don't have a baby! Each song is a beautiful arrangement of Scripture set to lullaby music. They are soothing and powerfully calming and worshipful. We have both volumes and they are equally wonderful.

We've had lullabies (almost all worship music) playing from an iPod sound dock in Boone's nursery since the day we brought him home from the hospital. I never, ever turn it off. I love that Scripture and praise fills his room 24 hours a day. These albums have become the soundtrack to our sweet baby's life and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I already dread the day that will eventually come when we turn the music off. :(

Baby Connect

This $4.99 app is a lifesaver for me, for too many reasons to explain here right now. I will just say that it is worth every penny - usually I don't buy apps over $1. It allows me to EASILY keep track of everything Boone-related (how much he eats, what time he wakes, how long he sleeps, when he dirties his diaper, etc.) so that I don't have to constantly be focused on remembering all of it. And it allows multiple caretakers to enter information in their smart phones, automatically syncing to mine. It is super simple to use. We think it's brilliant.

I don't mean to write all about babyish favorite things, that's just kind of our lives right now. :) Does anyone else have any favorites - baby or not - they'd like to let us in on?