Happy with my new Amazon purchase!

Ok not really MY Amazon purchase. I sent the link to my husband Scott and said I wanted one of these for ages and saw how great they were and to get it for me for Christmas. He told me he ordered it and to just open it now. Ever hear of it? It’s literally just a fancy shop vac in a smaller form, but man it’s satisfying to watch the dirt get sucked up into the hoses.

Totally wish I took before/after photos. I have this grey armchair that had stains on the armrests of it and the little green machine got it completely out. I also worked on an old pure black coffee stains on the rug from when I was GOING to surprise Scott with some McDonald’s coffee but my youngest had other intentions and dropped the damn coffee on the rug – about a year or so ago..I cleaned it up immediately but there was still a slight hue of coffee on it. All gone. Nuts. Even works on old stains.

I’m already looking forward to cleaning car seats and stroller seats with it next. But what else can I clean!!!? I was literally walking around the house looking for more stains to get out, haha! Have you used one of these before? Super easy to use/put together out of the box and clean once done using for the day. Now to Google which cleaner to use once the sample is all used up… suggestions?

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Baby #3 essentials: Hint, they don’t need much!

Well, we’re soon to be officially outnumbered – three kids in the household come December! Third time’s charm? While our experience as parents has taught us that babies require minimal items, there are a few must-haves that have made it to the top of our list. We’ve come to realize that there aren’t many things our little one truly requires. I wanted to share with you a few of my top picks that have been used for my first two boys and will continue to repurchase or use with this little one.

Ok first I have to let out a little vent. Sigh. My favourite OB/Gyn retired one month after I had my second baby, I was so lucky to have him deliver my two huge boys (both over 10lbs lol). So I had to scope out a new doc for this little one. I actually picked the doctor that assisted my fave doc, with my firstborn but it didn’t work out with that one (see my previous post) and now I’m on another doc lol. Anyway, didn’t mean to ramble on with that part. Had to let you know, y’know? K back to regular programming….

I’m pretty sure I donated/gave-away much of the newborn to one year gear. I need to search the house for the rolling bassinet, (I know I gave away *all* the clothes up to 1 year), my breastfeeding pillow, a baby holder (you know those, right?). Let’s dive into my favorite picks.

Sound Machine
I’m still using the portable sound-machine my friend Nicole gifted me for my first boy over 5 years ago. My second baby (ahem, toddler I guess) sleeps with it on every night until I turn it off when I’m about to hop in bed. Holy jumpin’s when it comes to newborns – you gotta say, sleep is a precious commodity for both babies and parents alike.  We know that a sound machine can work wonders in creating a soothing sleep environment. I’m kinda loving the calming white noise too. This time, I may get one that plugs in (we have one that just uses rechargeable batteries right now).

Feltman Brothers
Ok, this brand is the epitome of sophistication. These are the pieces you want to keep forever, and/or gift as heirloom hand-me-down pieces. From delicate smocking and intricate embroidery to vintage-inspired details, every Feltman Brothers piece is a work of art. I wished they had bigger sizes since my 5 year old *loves* to match his younger brother (they have gotten some coordinating sibling outfits from Feltman Brothers in the past). My newborn now has a handful of new pieces to wear too, and since this one is going to be born so close to Christmas, baby is going to wear some holiday outfits from their site too.

Bobux Shoes
We’ve been working with Bobux shoes close to 5 years, and now my second one is wearing his older brothers hand-me-down shoes — they still look so beautiful. Tiny toes deserve the best, and Bobux shoes deliver on both comfort and style. Bobux understands the importance of proper foot development and ensures that their shoes provide the right support and flexibility. My two boys have been wearing primarily their shoes.

BabyTula
I know I’ll be baby wearing a lot with my third little arrival, and I’m so excited to finally have a Baby Tula carrier – this one is called the Hemp Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier in the colour Bronzite and it’s good for carrying up to 45lbs, so technically I could carry my first born the kindergartener in this, ha imagine! I’m excited to wear my newborn in this come December.

UPPAbaby
UPPAbaby strollers have earned their place as our favorite brand for a reason. From the Vista’s adaptability to the Minu’s portability, UPPAbaby has thoughtfully designed strollers that cater to the diverse needs of growing families. As proud owners of both models, we can confidently say that UPPAbaby is the number one brand for our family of 5. With their robust build and sturdy frames, we have the peace of mind that our strollers will last through multiple children, making them a worthy investment. I’m excited to see how pushing the stroller with all 3 kids is going to look – newborn in the bassinet, toddler in the toddler seat, and my 5 year old on what we call the skateboard (piggyback board on UB’s website).

Harppa Baby Bassinet
My one “want” for when my baby is an infant was another bassinet with rolly wheels. I’m 95% certain I got rid of our previous one which was such a perfect size. I like to have baby in a safe space around me at all times, and having it on wheels (with brakes) is key – especially with a rambunctious toddler around who likes to poke at everything. The Harppa baby bassinet has all the bells and whistles: the wheels can flip up and turn the bassinet into a rocker, it has a detachable change table/pad with a buckle to keep babes safe, and also a mosquito net if you decide to take the bassinet outside – or in my case, put it up so big brother doesn’t start poking the infant.

My Brest Friend Pillow
Yes the spelling there is correct. I was gifted one of these with my first born by one of my really great friends. I know I gave this one away after my second one and I were done using it. It’s different than a lot of other nursing pillows out there – it’s so much more firm and a lot more comfortable as it clips on to your waist, has pockets for carrying your essentials: phone, water bottle. Cannot wait to start using it in December!

Remember, every family is unique, and what works for me may not work for everyone. It’s all about finding what resonates with you and your little ones. So, as you embark on your journey as a third-time mom or prepare for the arrival of your first baby, I encourage you to explore these favourite brands of mine, and hey – leave a comment of your fave baby items so I can discover some new ones too!

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3rd pregnancy and entering my 3rd trimester

3rd pregnancy and entering my 3rd trimester, here are some thoughts.

I started having acid reflux in my 20-somethingth weeks of pregnancy this time. It came on a lot quicker than my other two pregnancies, and even hit me throughout the day instead of just at night. Oof. So I’ve been sleeping with my head propped up with my back almost upright for nearly two weeks since it’s gotten worse. At least this is temporary.

I finally met my new Obgyn.

Backstory: I switched to a new Obgyn because my other one… to put it plainly, I felt like I was a total bother to her. A little drama on that end. At the time my car was out of commission so I could only visit the clinic when Scott was working from home two specific days a week. One half of those two days per week I work at my son’s school. So I’m working on only a day and a half per week being able to see that doc. Coinsidently is she doesn’t work on one of the two days I was free. Good grief.

I subtilty asked to switch providers. Provider was booked up with patients. Next appt I go to with the OBGyn she brings up the fact she saw I wanted to switch doctors. Awkward. I eventually said yes and she agreed with my scheduling. Good thing. Cause as soon as I met my new Obgyn last week, I felt immediately comfortable around her. Such better bedside manner, didn’t rush my appointment, and I felt as if she truly listened. I also asked if certain days I could bring my middle child in with me, if my appointment was scheduled for a day I couldn’t leave him with Scott. She was actually delighted at the thought to meet one of my kids. Whereas the other doctor basically told me she doesn’t usually allow it and she could make an exception if necessary. So basically no lol. Wtf. Fantastic mannerisms, I tell ya.

Anyway. Glad I switched cause if I irritated that doc just by my scheduling differences I definitely don’t want her in charge of bringing my new baby into this world. Jeewhiz!

So that’s the update for now. I feel like I need to stop eating suppers and just have more frequent meals earlier in the day because come supper time ….food isn’t appealing and I can already visualize the acid reflux in my throat. So nasty.

Sidenote, got a new bassinet in the mail over the weekend, and assembled it yesterday. Can’t wait to talk more about it in another post.

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