NoseFrida

There are certain products that you never even think of needing, that is, until you become a parent. Thomas has never been a good sleeper, but now teething his front teeth, we went from manageable frequent waking to uncontrollable wheezing, coughing and crying all night long. Enter our solution -  the NoseFrida Snot Sucker. This thing is a miracle worker. Seriously.  After sucking all the gunk out of Tom's nose before bed, he slept beautifully. It's my new must have for all parents. Owning one makes the many colds in our future seem so much more bearable. Boy are the Swedish brilliant!

Horizontal Stripes Guide to: Strollers

Since becoming pregnant with Thomas, starting to focus on more 'mommy-styled blogging', and seeing many of my friends also become pregnant, the most common question they've asked (at least with regard to 'baby gear') has been 'which stroller should I buy?'. After tailoring my advice to each friend, and discovering for myself what works for our family, I thought this might make a good topic for a blog post.

We have three strollers. Yes, you read that correctly -- three. And yes, we have one baby. So, you might want to keep in mind that I'm not someone who has found one stroller that works for everything. I also prefer to purchase strollers that have a decent resale value, because I want my stroller to have a life after I use it so that it doesn't end up at a landfill after a few years use. So, my recommendations tend to be mid-priced strollers (most very high end strollers aren't locally available and therefore my city's second-hand market doesn't seem to place the same value on them that people in larger cities might). If you're like me, you might want to take a look on Kijiji or the like before buying to see what different brands are selling for in your area.

So, which stroller should you buy?

If you love taking walks in the city while baby naps, you'll want a stroller with a bassinet.

My personal bias for preferring that baby sleep in a bassinet rather than a car seat saw me seeking out a stroller with clip in bassinet (which we actually used as Thomas' bassinet in our bedroom for the first three months) as our main full-sized stroller. We went with a fun Quinny Buzz that combines plastic and air-filed tires (and provides the option to switch out the front plastic wheel for a pair of air-filed ones). Other strollers with similar functionality include the Bugaboo Cameleon, UPPAbaby Vista, Stokke Xplory, iCandy Apple, Mamas and Papas Mylo, Bumbleride Queen B and Microlite Toro. Quinny and Bumbleride strollers pictured above. These are catch all strollers, and tend to have better resale values than similar 'travel systems' (Graco and Evenflo, for example, strollers that come complete with a clip in car seat from big box stores).

If you want to use the same stroller seat from newborn to toddler, you'll want a stroller whose seat can lay completely flat.

There's something appealing about having one seat, which has the ability to lay completely flat so that it can be used from birth and up. The bonus here is that there are no extra components to store or adapters to fiddle with. The leaders in this category are the Mamas and Papas Sola and the UPPAbaby Cruz (both pictured above).

If running is part of you're daily routine, you'll want a jogging stroller.

We also bought a used jogging stroller for occasional use on some trails around our neighbourhood for about $40 (it's a Co-Pilot). BOB and Phil and Ted's (both pictured above) are the leaders in this pack (at least in St. John's), so I'd recommend starting there first when you're looking to buy. I have close friends with both types. If you plan to use your stroller while also walking your dog, this is the sort of stroller I recommend. BOB and Phil and Ted's also sell double strollers.

If you're a jet-settler, you'll need a compact umbrella stroller.

Baby's comfort is most important to me, so I suggest staying clear of the too flimsy umbrella varieties if your little one is less than two. We have a Maxi Cosi Mila, but I also love the Maclaren Triumph and the Quinny Zapp Xtra. If you plan on flying with your baby, or want a stroller to keep in your car all the time, I recommend one of these. I love the Maxi Cosi and Quinny varieties best because they also allow you to clip in your Maxi Cosi car seat, which is super convenient if you're travelling with a small baby. Maxi Cosi and Quinny strollers pictured above.

If you plan on having a second child, you might want a stroller that converts to a double.

Similar in styling to the bassinet options above, a stroller that expands to accommodate two might be the best choice if you plan to have a second child or if you have twins. This is a small but growing category of strollers. My personal favourite is the Bugaboo Donkey, but the Mountain Buggy Duet and Baby Jogger City Select are also beautiful and functional. Bugaboo and Baby Jogger strollers pictured above.

Chances are you might need one or two of these (likely a larger stroller and a compact stroller). What strollers do you use and love? I'm so curious!

Registering for Baby: Modern Budget-Friendly Alternatives Edition

The reality is that we didn't have $20,000 to spend to prepare for Thomas' arrival. If we did, our nursery might have looked like a composition of the last post. What we did have were generous parents, the ability to make a few splurges ourselves and some researched findings on much-more budget friendly pieces. If modern design is important to you, you might want to consider some of these more affordable pieces as well.

Crib - Ikea Gulliver

Bassinet - Eco Cradle

Stroller - Bumbleride Indy

Lounger - Maclaren Vida Bouncer

High Chair - Svan High Chair

Rocking Chair - Ikea Poang

Registering for Baby: Lux Gear Edition

When I was pregnant, I couldn't find a baby registry checklist tailored to my style (modern, clean lines), so I've decided to draft my own. If you share a similar aesthetic, your dream registry might look something like this. In preparing for baby, I wanted to balance my desire for good modern design with utility and my average budget.

This list is similar to one I crafted in my master 'prep-for-baby excel spreadsheet'. When shopping, we splurged on some of these items ourselves and our families bought a few others. In thinking about a second baby, I even have a very short splurge list ready to go (a second Stokke Tripp Trapp and a Bugaboo Donkey). For fun and as an alternative to this dream list, I'll be sharing a list of affordable and modern items, inspired by this list below, tomorrow, including some of the alternatives we purchased to keep our budget on track.

Crib - Ooba Nest

Bassinet - Hushamok

Stroller - Stokke Xplory

Nightlight - J Schatz Egg Lamp

Humidifier - Gizmine Middle Colors

Lounger - Bloom Coco Stylewood Baby Lounger

High Chair - Sirch Henry VI

Rocking Chair - Rapid Rocker by Ralph Rapson

New Parent Must Haves

As Thomas approaches six months (gasp!), I look around his nursery and our home, and am surprised by the things that I find infinitely useful (jumperoo purchased second hand on the cheap) and useless (no scratch mittens that never fit my son's big hands). I am always thinking about how we can pare down our baby gear, while also ensuring that we're prepared for every stage that's to come. It's a challenge simultaneously wanting to always be prepared AND keep my possessions to a minimum. Like many new moms, I love momfilter. Of course, they had this great post on the one (or two) item(s) that parents cannot live without. What is your must have for raising a baby? It's random, but I couldn't live without Sir Bubbadoo Burping Cloths. Seriously. As someone with an abundant supply (aka leakage issues), disdain for wearing a bra to bed (the horror!), and a boy who loves to feed in bed at night, these cloths are the perfect replacement for nursing pads. I think they should be on every breastfeeding mom's must have list.

Bed

One of the main things I love about our Stokke Tripp Trapp is that it can serve as an adult chair long after its uses as a high chair and booster seat are needed. I'm always searching for baby furniture and gear that can do double duty.

Since being born, Thomas has spent time sleeping in a bassinet, (briefly) in a crib and now in our bed (co-sleeping has saved my life... but more about that in another post). I don't worry about him getting too used to sleeping with us, because he's outgrown being nursed to sleep and napping in my arms without any prodding or efforts from me, so I'm sure when he's ready he'll show us, in his own way, that he's ready to sleep solo in his crib or a toddler bed. In preparation for those cues, I've been searching for a toddler bed (we seem to be one of the few couples we know that didn't go for a crib that converts into a toddler bed and then double bed). My find? The P'Kolino bed that converts into a stylish chair when no longer needed as a bed. Genius! We'll definitely be ordering one of these.

Potty

Though we're far from potty training, this cardboard 'privacy den' by Pirouette Cacahouete is genius! If I were a toddler, I think this would certainly make transitioning to using the loo more appealing. Of course it could also serve as a play hut. Via Minor Details.

Nursery

If curious, here's a glimpse of the room we designed for little Thomas. As a nursing mother, with a son who feeds best in his poang chair, I'm quite glad we took the time to add visual interest and colour for adults as well as tykes as I presently find myself spending many hours a day and night sitting in there.

Clutch

I have determined that the cost and style efficient alternative to a diaper bag is a large purse (or three) with interior pockets (check) combined with a diaper clutch that includes a changing pad. I love both Posh House Originals and The Uncommon Kid's offerings.

To assist in diaper changing outside the nursery but still in our home, I've put together a standing tote that holds a Babymel Changing Station (a lovely present from my aunt and cousin), diapers, Penaten, wipes, Humble Pie burping cloths and a few soft toys and teethers for distraction. With a three story house, having a traveling diaper tote to bring with us from floor to floor is a necessity.

Fabric

One of the unexpected 'symptoms' of my pregnancy has been a new-found love of handmade fabric items. I delved heavily into paper DIY during our wedding preparations last year, and have continued my desire to craft and construct over the past nine months with fabric. In addition to a few handmade items that I've made for our boy, I've also received and have purchased a number of beautiful items handmade by others. I admit to spending hours searching Etsy for beautiful baby items made from Alexander Henry, Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler fabrics. Photos: Alexander Henry Mod Bird Griffith Park bandana bib via poba, Joel Dewberry Sparrow in Plum wet bag via Snuggy Baby, and Amy Butler Trumpet Flowers tote via Heart 2 Handbags.

Slings

Right now, I'm debating which colour ring sling to purchase. I want something that's versatile enough to wear with black sweaters and striped shirts around the home, but that could also be brought out for a special evening if need be. Your input is welcomed! Any other babywearing advice to share?

Slings above from BabyEtte, BabyEtte, Raspberry Baby and BabyEtte (again).

Update: I decided on the icy blue!

Bassinet

One of the first things we discussed as soon-to-be-parents was whether or not we would co-sleep, sleep with baby in our room or try to start baby off in his crib as soon as possible.

We ultimately decided to begin with baby in our room so we're using a bassinet that also clips into our stroller. We'll keep it on the floor close to our bed to facilitate night feedings. One of the things I like most about this decision is that baby will be used to sleeping in this particular unit, which will make traveling with it and using it with the stroller easier (hopefully!).

The trouble with bassinets is that they're often used for such short periods of time that their cost might seem difficult to justify, particularly for a beautiful modern bassinet like a Hushamok or a Nest Bassinet. For those of you looking for a different sort of stroller system, the EcoCradle might be the perfect option. I love that it can be decorated by you or older children, and recycled when no longer needed!

If you're looking for a 'reuse' option there are plenty of bassinets for sale locally from parents with gently used units.

Donkey

Wow. You know you're on the cusp of a big life change when you're fascinated by double strollers.

Teether

Natural teether via Koukku. I could use one of these today as my lower right wisdom tooth is cutting in.

Cloths

Beautiful burping cloths via Sir Bubbadoo.

Bag

The musing about a diaper bag continues. Part of me finds it hard to commit to one bag (one bag, you mean like one pair of shoes?!), while another part of me thinks that streamlining getting out the door is a great goal and a diaper bag (that you don't have to always pack and unpack) would be of great assistance in achieving such.

Here's the problem - I have a weak spot in my back. This makes carrying an "across the body" bag next to impossible. The last thing I want is to be laid up with a bad back a few weeks after baby is born (literally, I'm talking about not being able to walk). Backpacks seem like a sensible solution - but don't seem formal enough for every occasion. At this moment, I'm thinking that a Baggu daypack with some Baggu zipper packs would be a great (and affordable and compact) option for heading to the park, while a Baggu duck bag would be perfect for lunch out or a shopping adventure.

Slings

One of the elements of being a mother that hadn't occurred to me before conceiving was baby-wearing. Of course I'd seen parents with backpack carriers on hiking trails and with Baby Bjorns at the mall, but beyond casually observing such gadgets I hadn't thought about the closeness that such modes of 'transportation' provide for baby. The more I think about it, the more excited I become about the prospect of 'wearing' our son around town. Given we enjoy hiking, we'll likely splurge for an Ergo baby carrier (or the like) for use by dad and mom, but I'm also enjoying the options of Sakura Bloom for a little post-baby glamour. Image via Carry Me Away.

Petuna

The current internal debate in my head (and sometimes external debate at our house) is around the necessity for a diaper bag. I have plenty of large satchels that seem to fit the bill with the addition of a changing pad. In fact, while I was studying in the UK many years ago, I purchased a fantastic large red bag from French Connection, and my roommate remarked at the time that it would make a perfect diaper bag. When I look into the top of my closet these days and catch it out of the corner of my eye, I can't help but think she was right. Having retired it from daily use a few years back, being a diaper bag might be just the trick to breathe new life into that piece.

I'm also considering the need for a bag that works for both mom and dad. With that criteria in mind, there's a clear choice - the Journey Pack from the Scout collection at Petunia Pickle Bottom. Isn't it great?

Gear

With a baby comes (the possibility, if not the reality) a house full of gear to help respond to every situation. Greg and I are on a quest to buy what we need, and nothing more. While there are some things that immediately scream indulgence (a wipe warmer?), others seem to have merit (a bottle warmer?). On many fronts, I'm feeling clueless as to what is a need and what is a want. As we attempt to prepare for our new arrival, I'm curious to hear your advice on baby must-haves. Image via Wee Textile.

P.S. If you're curious about what baby products I'm favouring to date, check out the side bar of this blog.