What's In The Bag?

Once upon a time, I came across a post on the interwebs that suggested using Petunia Pickle Bottom's Powder Room Cases for diaper bag organization. It seemed like a genius idea since I can remember more than one stressful parenting situation made even more stressful by a black hole of a diaper bag. So when I bought my PPB Sashay Satchel, I grabbed a few PRC's and figured I'd see where my OCD would take me.

This is what my set-up looks like for a two year old and a two month old (both in cloth diapers):

PRC #1: Health and Beauty Items (Boogie Wipes, tissues, cough drops, sunscreen, lotion, etc.)

PRC #2: Toddler Entertainment (stickers, coloring book, Play-doh, fake camera and phone, etc.)

PRC #3: Snacks (fruit strips, raisins, Larabars, KIND bars, etc.)

Here's how the whole thing comes together:

In the very bottom of my diaper bag, I put the things that I (God willing) don't need very often. I have two disposable diapers for each kiddo, a sleep n play for Rowan, a change of pants for Niamh.
On top of that bottom layer, I put the three PRC's in vertically so I can easily identify and grab the one I need. This leaves just enough space for a fourth PRC (you could have a diaper PRC if you use disposables), but I use that space for a wet bag and a couple cloth diapers. I know that conventional wisdom says to pack a diaper for every hour that you'll be out, plus a few extras just in case. But let's be real here, if either one of my kids is pooping at that rate, I don't want to be out in public. Plus, I always keep a stocked changing station in my car, so I don't feel the need to pack everything I own in a diaper bag *just in case*.

The Sashay Satchel has a magazine pocket in the front that I use as my "mommy pocket" with wallet, cell phone, etc. The back magazine pocket holds the straps that convert the bag to a backpack along with my nursing cover and a burp cloth. Inside, there are two pockets that hold a changing pad and wipes as well as a zippered pocket that holds some random things that I might want to access easily/quickly like a pack of Wet Ones and some Honest Co. spray hand sanitizer. I'm generally not big on hand sanitizer but no Ebola here, thanks.

That's it, folks. I don't carry much because we usually aren't away from home for more than a few hours since Niamh is still napping everyday. In the future, if we do all-day trips, I will transition to my old Ju Ju Be Be Prepared diaper bag with the same PRC's and just add a small cooler, more diapers, or whatever else we need for the day.

Do you have any diaper bag tips and tricks?? Comment below to share!

Mama Must-Have: Three Random Things I'm Obsessed With

I am literally obsessed with three beauty products at the moment.

This is my favorite lotion of. all. time. Yeah, that's a big statement but I stand by it. This stuff is available at Sephora and it is amazing: smells wonderful, makes my skin super soft, and doesn't feel greasy. I cannot imagine life without this stuff.

I'll admit that I'm kinda lazy when it comes to hair and makeup. I have always neglected my eyebrows when I wear makeup because they're already thick and dark so I just never understood why I would use anything else on them. Enter Benefit's Gimme Brow. This stuff is like a little mini-mascara for your eyebrows and helps them look full, defined, and polished. Even if I'm not wearing a full face of makeup, a little bit of this makes a world of difference. And I've now learned that it is a MUST for a full face of makeup.

Let me get something off my chest: I hate lipstick. I'm like the Goldilocks of lipstick: it's too sticky, it's too creamy, it's too shiny, it's too bright, it's too neutral. You get the picture. I discovered this little drugstore gem a few months ago and loved the subtle purple color (Oh La Lilac) with a nice summer tan. It's a gel pigment so it feels more like a lip balm than a lipstick. I now have six tubes strategically placed in my car, makeup bag, diaper bag, etc.

Round Two and I'm Digging Some Babywearing

Howdy folks and Happy International Babywearing Week! I bet you didn't know that was a thing, did you? Yeah, me either.

In spite of my recent ignorance about an entire week dedicated to wearing one's offspring, I decided to write a post this week on that very subject!

Niamh's 1st Notre Dame Game

I received an Ergo carrier from a very dear friend when I was pregnant with Niamh and used it on a pretty regular basis with her. It was just so handy to tuck her in her carrier next to my body while I was out and about grocery shopping, cooking dinner, or even walking the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k. She seemed so comfy and cozy and almost always fell asleep when I was wearing her.


Now that we're doing Round Two with Baby Ro, I am digging the hell out of wearing that little nugget! While I do some stereotypically "hippie mom" things like cloth diaper and make my own baby food, I certainly don't consider myself to be a full-blown crunchy granola organic natural mama. Babywearing tends to be one of those things that those hippie moms do, as it is one of the principles included in attachment parenting. For me, babywearing is just SO practical and handy that it makes having a baby so much more enjoyable.

Hiking with Baby Ro

 Let's face it, for all the joys a little on brings there are certainly plenty of inconveniences, especially if your nugget is breastfed...frequently. I only nursed Niamh in her carrier a few times and, since I'm fairly discreet about breastfeeding, I often felt like I was missing out on fun things that were going on because I would need to find a quiet corner to sit down and feed her.

This time around, I have worn Rowan everywhere. And, let me tell you, throwing a nursing cover around my neck and dropping that carrier down has allowed me to nurse on the go and not miss a thing. Just this week I have nursed that kid while cooking, shopping at lululemon, picking out a rug, buying groceries, hiking at George Bush Park, and drinking a glass of wine during National Night Out with my neighbors (don't judge). It has been such a liberating feeling this time around to not worry about waking the baby up to feed her before I go out to run errands - I'll just nurse her while I run errands. Let's face it, any time I can multi-task and save a little time I'm a happy camper.

Aside from the selfish reasons that I would encourage any mom to try out babywearing, some studies have indicated that babies who are worn for three hours a day cried 43% less (54% less in the evening hours) than babies who were not worn.

Have any questions about babywearing? Want to share your favorite carrier or babywearing practice? Leave a comment below! Happy Babywearing!

Mama Must-Have: Curling Wand

Ok, so I can't be the only mom out there who has trouble finding the time in between feedings, diapers, dishes, and laundry to squeeze in a quick shower. I'll admit it, I've been sitting at the play ground mid-afternoon and realized that I haven't even brushed my teeth yet.

As a new mom all over again, I'm looking for easy ways to make my mornings simple and fast so I can get myself put together and ready to leave the house. I have developed a new appreciation for my old curling wand because it creates some curl/wave that sticks around for daaaaaaaaaaayyyyyys without having to spend time styling my hair every morning. This thing puts old school curling irons to shame! If you haven't tried a curling wand yet, OMG, do it.

Waves on day 3!

New Gear for 2015

Those of you who follow me on Facebook, Instagram (@betterbabyyourbaby), and Twitter (@betterbabybaby) have already seen a sneak peek of some of these products that were just revealed at the 2014 ABC Kids Expo. Check out the brand-new gear below that created a buzz at the trade show and keep your eyes peeled for some awesome new products to hit the market in late 2014 or the first half of 2015

Baby Jogger City Mini Zip

Lightweight and Travel-Friendly Strollers

Baby Jogger City Mini Zip - Like its big brother, the ever popular City Mini, the Zip offers some full-size features on a lightweight stroller. The fold on the Zip is the new feature and comes in 50% smaller than a standard umbrella stroller. It weighs in at only 16 pounds and will retail for $249.99.  

Mountain Buggy Nano -  This stroller might take the cake for frequent fliers. It weighs 13 pounds and folds compactly enough to fit into most overhead carry-on compartments! It is also equipped with a car seat adapter that fits several leading brands and turns this lightweight umbrella stroller into a full travel system! This thing is a great value at only $199.99.

BabyZen YoYo - Another stroller with an amazing micro-mini fold, the YoYo is the first stroller to be fully compliant with IATA guidelines for cabin baggage dimensions. Easily slips into an overhead compartment, under a train seat, etc. 

 Double Strollers

UPPABaby Vista - Big changes are happening for the 2015 Vista! What used to be known as the Vista has been renamed the Legacy and the new Vista is joining the ranks of grow-with-your-family strollers that easily convert from a single to a double and back again, much like the Britax B-Ready or Baby Jogger City Select (review here). In 2015, the Vista will be able to accommodate two toddler seats, bassinets, or infant carriers, making it ideal for parents of twins! The Vista frame and single seat will retail for around $800, with additional seats and accessories being sold separately. This stroller also won the 2014 JPMA Stoller Award and The Bump Editor's Pick!

2015 UPPABaby Vista

Baby Jogger Vue Double - Baby Jogger got great feedback with the introduction of the Vue: an umbrella stroller with a seat that easily converts to forward-facing or rear-facing. In 2015, Baby Jogger is introducing a double version! The seats will be independent and allow a younger child to be parent-facing while big brother or sister faces forward. It should retail for $399.

UPPABaby G-Link - The G-Link is the double version of UPPABaby's already popular G-Luxe umbrella stroller. (You can find my review of the G-Luxe here.) This stroller will weigh in at only 20 pounds and feature a nearly-flat recline for the smallest babies.In my opinion, a flat recline is an AMAZING feature on a stroller!

Luxury Joggers

Orbit Baby O2 - In Summer 2015, Orbit Baby will enter the world of jogging strollers with the introduction of the O2. The frame will feature a low seating position for jogging or a higher seating position for city strolling and will accommodate your Orbit Baby seat. Like other joggers, the O2's front wheel will lock for jogging or swivel for everyday use.
Bugaboo Runner - The Runner frame will easily accept any Bugaboo seat for jogging in parent-facing or rear-facing mode. Featuring air-filled tires for a smooth ride, the Runner will have a fixed front wheel. It should arrive in stores by spring 2015 and will retail around $425 for the frame and $650 for frame and seat.

Car Seats

Britax ClickTight - The new ClickTight system makes correct installation a breeze! It's never been easier to install a car seat using a vehicle safety belt in cars without LATCH anchors or when you exceed the LATCH weight limits. ClickTight will be available in the Britax convertible models that we all know and love (Boulevard, Marathon, and Advocate) as well as the Frontier and Pinnacle Harness-2-Booster models.

Cybex Cloud Q - Most doctors advise against leaving infants in their car seats for extended periods of time due to their developing spines. The Cybex Cloud Q is the first infant carrier that will recline when clipped onto its frame, thus turning into a bassinet and letting sleeping babies lie! This car seat is going to come in gorgeous colors and should retail for $399.

Doona Infant Carrier

Doona - Wow. This thing is a game changer! This infant carrier weighs 15.5 pounds and has integrated wheels and handlebar to transform into a snap-n-go type stroller in an instant. All those times that you just need to run into a store to grab something or pick an older sibling up from school just got a little easier! This seat will retail for $350.

Phil & Teds - This duo has a new uber-lightweight infant seat hitting the market that weighs well under 10 pounds! No more fiddler crab arm from hauling a heavy car seat around!

Whew, that's a TON of stuff to keep your eyes peeled for over the next year! There are also plenty of miscellaneous items hitting markets as well: EZPZFun No Mess Happy Mats (integrated silicone plates and mats with some serious suction), Silikids silicone toppers that can turn any cup into a sippy cup, and beautiful new play mat prints from Skip Hop that give playrooms a chic makeover!

Stay Tuned!

Hang In There.

I just came across a quote that, after the day we've had, couldn't have been more perfect:

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on.

--Unknown

Nobody wants to have THAT kid in the restaurant.

Have you ever sat down for a nice meal with your toddler at a restaurant and quickly realized that you would rather be literally anywhere else on the face of the earth than sitting at the same table with this crazy demon child?!

At our house, Niamh is just on the verge of turning two and she must be getting a head start on the "terrible two's." For some strange reason, she can be the sweetest little helper all day long and as soon as we go out in public (especially to a restaurant), she flips a switch and does the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing. They must derive some great joy from embarrassing us in the most public of places.

Enter momma's big bag of restaurant tricks. I now carry a secret pouch in my diaper bag loaded with small toys and things to help keep Niamh happy (read: distracted) long enough to get in a quick dinner. Some of my favorite items are random things in the bins as soon as you walk into Target. Everything ranges from $1-$3 and features the stuff of magic to a toddler: crayons and mini coloring books, princess stickers, small containers of squishy stuff like play-doh, things that light up, etc. Another favorite are the Melissa & Doug Reusable Stickers Pads. I stick a scene in the diaper bag along with some of the stickers and, voila, we've bought ourselves a solid 15 minutes. Plus, they work like window clings and keep her occupied at home too!