Oh, Bebe! The junk you will need.

My dear friends are having a baby girl so I thought I could put together a mini guide for the parents-to-be.

Congrats Story & Chris!!

Bebe Essentials:

Maternity Clothes
Most ladies can skirt through their pregnancy without having to purchase actual maternity clothes, stretchy waist pants, skirts along with maxi dresses made with a jersery fabric are great.

These pieces were comfy but not maternity

I loved Gap Maternity and Target. I tried to buy stuff I could wear after bebe and I still wear a lot of those dresses today. Nordstrom carries Bella Bands which are crucial for preggers ladies who want to stay in their jeans. Medela made the best nursing bras from my experience. My boobs were enormous the first few weeks so it was essential to have a nursing bra that fit well and I could wear 24/7 and feel comfortable.

Crib/Bassinet

We went high end with our bassinet, but luckily we were able to sell it once she outgrew it.You want a piece that is easy to move to whatever room you will be in. It doesn't have to rock, I don't remember rocking Liv that often in ours. I like this folding crib for space saving. Liv slept with us more than in her crib for the first year, so this is a great temporary crib until you choose a long term bed.

Crib Bedding/Blankets

Olivia was fortunate enough to receive a lovely crib bedding set from our bebe shower. So before you shell out a lot of money on bedding, add it to your registry first.

We purchased this set for her crib and really, that's all she has ever needed. We rotate back and forth between the two sets when it's time for laundry. Lately, she loves pink so we haven't used the orange set as often. Most important is buying a few waterproof sheets. They will protect your mattress and they last for a long time. I love this crib set and this one if you are anti-bumper.

*We used a bumper, gasp, and had no trouble at all but it's something to consider.

Aden + Anais make the best swaddling blankets hands down. They are lightweight but long enough to swaddle the wiggliest of bebes. I used this set and loved it.

Dresser/Changing Table

A changing table isn't necessarily an essential. Folks use couches, beds and mostly the floor which is the easiest location for a squirmy bebe. We lucked out when we bought our crib and got a bargain for the changing table and dresser/hutch for a deal.

Oeuf furniture has held up exceptionally well for the past 4 years. The dresser has just enough storage to house her vast wardrobe but I do have to stay on top of donating her clothes that she outgrows *although I've been keeping so many pieces for sentimental reasons, HOARDER!*

A peek into Liv's drawers

Car Seat

You really need a car seat that comes with a separate base, and buy an extra base if you have two cars. You want one that is easy to move in and out *cause your gonna be doing this often*. I suggest a canopy to keep the sun out of bebe's face. I hope Story & Chris are fortunate enough to have a bebe who loves car rides. Liv has always loved riding in the car so we still take her for a night drive if we can't get her to sleep. Choose a car seat that is comfy for bebe, and a material that won't make your bebe too warm.

My Mom gifted us a Peg Perego

A boppy. Even if you don't breastfeed *you better!* they are a must-have. I used that boppy every single day for two years. They prop bebe up and are a total lifesaver for feedings. Register for two covers so you have a back up when one is dirty.

Bottles/Nursing

Speaking of feeding, we used Medela bottles and I used a manual breast pump. I never had the chance to freeze my breastmilk, so I'd suggest sticking with Medela if you go that route.

Stroller

I am sticking with our Bugaboo bee. We loved the features of our bee but I also like the Chameleon. Liv grew well with it and it was easy to use. The bee functions well, you can use it facing forward and rear, it tilts so bebe can nap comfortably using the cocoon. We never needed a jogging stroller since the handling on the bee is smooth. Liv is a super tall kid, so we stopped using it a little after her second birthday which coincided with her desire to either walk everywhere or have her daddy carry her *which he still does even though she's almost 40lbs!*

One week old!

Two years old

Baby Carrier

I used our baby carrier ten times more often than our stroller. When bebe is new, you want as much skin to skin bonding as possible. Since I wanted a carrier that would be comfortable for my large *giant* frame and wanted something Antz could use too, I decided against a sling carrier. I didn't want anything with metal so the Baby Hawk was our best option. Let me tell you, it took tons of convincing Antz it was safe. He was sure the knots would loosen and Liv would fall out. After the first time I put it on him, he was a believer. I ordered ours with extra long straps since we are so tall so it gave us room to tie our knots triple times for that extra reassurance.

I loved the BabyHawk, still have it!

Liv's first trip to the beach

These are some essentials that I couldn't live without. There are other options but these worked best for me. Here's a full list of items to register for.

A & D Ointment!! I am a huge advocate for this miracle in a tube for diaper rash prevention. Liv stayed rash free by dabbing a bit of ointment in every diaper. It kept her bum smooth and comfy.

Diaper Dekor - Holds tons of dirty diapers and kept the odors in control.

Wipes Warmer - Cause noone likes a cold wipe on the bum.

Grooming Kit - Has most of what you need like nail clippers, thermometer, comb, brush and nasal aspirator. This one is great for clogged noses, it gets bonus points for being called the Snotsucker.

Bathtub - We didn't use this guy as much as I would have liked but filling up the tub and then moving it to the kitchen for room to bathe Liv was cumbersome *this was in our shitty plumbing days* However, we received this as a gift so we would splurge now and then and use this bath in her early days. She still takes showers with me most of the time.

Hooded bathtowel - Keep bebe warm, Liv's lamb is soft and adorable.

Soap, Shampoo & Lotion - I found Mustela to smell the best and work well for Liv's skin. This may vary for every bebe's skin type. We used Baby Neutrogena for sunscreen. Now that she's older I typically use Baby Aveeno for soap and shampoo.

Pacifier - The best one you will use will come from the hospital. Don't forget to bring home all the freebies from the hospital *I still use a burp cloth and waterproof pad we got from Huntington* Liv didn't use a pacifier for long but when she was teething we used this guy.

Sophie the giraffe - No, she's not a dog chew toy. Every happy bebe has one, she's the best! Register for two cause you'll lose one or it will get dirty from bebe dropping her.



Bebe clothes - We bought just about everything *on sale* from Baby Gap.

Activity mat - We bought ours from Giggle but it's sold out. Liv used it everyday for tummy time. She liked the mirror and we added toys that would rattle. We sold most of her bebe stuff but I am keeping this guy until I no longer have room for it. Call me crazy...

Swing/Bouncer

We received this swing at our bebe shower so I never had the chance to research swings or bouncers. This one played classical music and had different speeds. It was a Godsend! I would put Liv in there and could actually go to the bathroom or eat food without holding her. She would always fall asleep in there.

When she was old enough to hold her head up, her Godmommy got her this jumper. It's excellent for strengthening their legs and allowed her to use hand-eye coordination. You can only keep them in there for a few minutes at a time but she loved that jumper.


How rad are her orange Adidas?

Don't forget to request a bebe greeting from the White House. It's a lovely keepsake for those of you who are fond of our current president.

Hope this is helpful. You can also check out my previous bebe guides here and here.

Hooray for my friend's sweet bebe girl! I am super excited to meet her.

Being Two

I can't believe my little bebe is now two years and nine months old. Liv has been terrific at 2, even though she's given me a few terrible days. Words can't express how much love and joy she's given Antz and me. I made this video of some highlights of her being two, enjoy!

Being two from sunkissis on Vimeo.
"Young Folks"  Peter Bjorn and John

Better Late than never

This video is ridiculously late but enjoy the birth of Olivia Lily. Don't worry, I spared everyone the gruesome details of the actual birth *which Liv loves to watch and say she looked gwross in Mommy's tummy* but this is a great depiction of the 24 hours before she was born.

Liv's Birth June 2, 2010 from sunkissis on Vimeo.


The song is Sawdust & Diamonds by the lovely harpist, Joanna Newsom. Have a great Monday!

Olivia is now 2

It's been a whirlwind of fun for 24 months!!



She is so incredible.

Lizzie's Guide to Rad New Bebe Essentials

So it seems that this is a long overdue post. I am super excited to be welcoming new bebe friends for Liv this year so this post is inspired by my Parents-to-be**. We had brunch with our nephew and niece, Cayce & Ann-Marissa, who are not only expecting their lovely bebe girl in June but also just closed escrow on a new MEGA MANSION dream house. Congrats guys, I couldn't be happier for you both!

Joining the awesome bebe girl power squad!!

**I can now Congratulate Carlos & Stephanie on their little  Peanut *they made their announcement today* it has been super hard keeping my trap shut for the past week! Congrats to you guys, you're gonna be amazing parents. XOXO

Olivia's wig is huge!!

You can find a few posts here, and here, about the key items we found critical to life with a new bebe. So, as an old pro to the bebe game, here are my essentials:

The good ole' 3 piece furniture basics...crib, dresser w/changing table and a comfy glider.

Classic Collection

Changing Station

You may not use the crib for the first few months but it's nice to have one ready to go when the time comes that you want a good night's sleep *alone* this may happen much later than you think. 

Our crib and dresser/hutch, and changing table are from the Oeuf Classic set. We also got the toddler bed conversion set *so happy we did*. Now I know you are thinking I'm cray cray when you see the price but Antz used his bargain spidey skills and found the entire set on Craigslist for much less than retail price. We were extremely lucky to get ours brand new but even a gently used crib would work *after some serious sanitizing*. I see this set in almost every nursery blog or design magazine because of it's modern and clean look. It's unisex and eco-friendly *if you're into lovin' Mama Earth* The glider's function should be comfort. If your brave enough to breastfeed, you will be using this chair 70% of the time. We choose our Luca Glider based on 2 features, it was perfect for supporting my giant frame and it was soo much prettier than the frumpy one I saw at Pottery Barn kids. Look for lower back *lumbar* support and a chair you can get in and out of easily, while holding a slippery bebe.

Luca Glider

The next must-have is a Boppy. If they ever need a spokeperson, I'm your girl. I still use my Boppy today *20 months later* They come with a washable slipcover which is fantastic cause I spill on it more than Liv does. The Boppy also doubles as a cushion to prop up bebe when she is learning to sit on her own. It has the perfect Liv to my boob fit. Comfort is crucial while breastfeeding!!

Boppy in Aqua

You may or may not want a bassinet or Moses basket for bebe to sleep in for those first months. Some folks let bebe sleep in the bed with them but I was much too neurotic to do that. We got our bassinet from the same place as our glider, again, their style is pretty and modern. Target, Babies R Us or any kids store is perfectly fine for a bassinet, preferably one that rocks.

Ninna Nanna Bassinet

The one item all Mommies have for their bebe's across the world is a lovely, little giraffe teether named Sophie. She rocks in every way possible. Register for 2 on your baby shower registry, cause you will go nuts the day you lose or drop your Sophie.

 
Sophie the Giraffe

So you're gonna give breastfeeding a go...YAY!! Well, if you are like me, you are probably a bit apprehensive about pumping. It really isn't that bad once you get the hang of it. I used a manual pump so I can control the pump speed and pressure *and I'm a wuss*. Medela is my favorite brand.

Harmony Manual Breastpump

There will come a time when your pediatrician says it's time to start solids *you'll be sad on the inside cause it's the starting point of your little bebe growing up* but it's fun to cook up creative recipes for your little one. The Baby Bullet gets rave reviews but I like the Beaba Babycook since it steams and purees in one cup. We found ours used on Craigslist for $80. Just last week we steamed some corn and carrots for Liv's dinner.


Beaba Babycook

A stroller is an investment when it comes bebe gear. Some parents buy the infant car seat stroller *a fancy stroller frame where the car seat attaches* but they only are good for about 6 or 7 months. Some folks choose a pram or they must have a jogger stroller *that's a three legged doohickey and I kinda love that one* I am 100% happy with our choice, the Bugaboo Bee. I spent months researching which stroller to buy and I found the Bee ticked all the boxes. I was waivering between a Bee and a Chameleon but the high price of the Chameleon was a dealbreaker. Most of the reviews were positive but there were complaints about the Bee's wheels and brakes. I guess they listened to the reviews because just before we bought our stroller, Bugaboo put out a new and improved version of the Bee. Larger wheels and sturdier brakes were included with the 2010 model. I received the Bugaboo cocoon as a gift for Liv to use while she was a newborn. Aside from having a hilarious folding issue with it the first week, we have been quite happy happy with it ever since. You should think of the terrain you plan to use your stroller, the ease of opening and closing it as well as the features it comes with. Our Bugaboo Bee doesn't have the storage and cup holders other strollers may have, but it has worked wonderfully for us.

Bugaboo Bee

Now she faces forward *cause she's an adult*

Baby carriers come in all shapes and sizes but my go to brand has been the BabyHawk. It's lightweight, multi-functional and secure *a total lifesaver*. I had to convince Antz it was safe after he watched the videos on their site but after the first time he tried it, he was hooked. I rarely had the chance to use it whenever we were together. I have breastfed using it at Disneyland. I may even get her a BabyHawk Oh Snap cause holding her has become a work out neither of us is prepared for.

The next item is a necessity if you are nursing. A hooter hider is essential for a spur of the moment feeding in public. It's weird at first, but soon you will feel confident enough to whip those boobs out in any situation *like a mall parking lot*

Diapers are the smelliest part of having a sweet bebe but having a good storage unit for them helps. I have a Diaper Dekor. I find it easy to use, it holds about a few weeks of dirty diaps and aesthetically pleasing. Throw a couple of stick up deodorizers for good measure.

Diaper Dekor Plus

I find the perfect diaper bag is a critical part to your bebe gear. You need something that can be used as a messenger bag or backpack because you want to be hands-free as often as possible. Having a sturdy bag with enough room for all the baby essentials as well as your wallet, keys and *sanity* Antz and I have our separate bags so we always have one ready to go fully stocked. I adore my Petunia Picklebottom Bag but I wish it was waterproof inside *I have spilled so many various liquids* I recommend a dark color cause it gets pretty grimey.

Petunia Picklebottom Backpack Diaper Bag

Diaper Dude

You're probably wondering what in the heck will I need in my diaper bag? Well here's a list of my inventory *remember, I tend to overpack*

5-7 Diapers
a box full of wipes
a tube of A & D ointment**
a change of clothes
extra socks
a sweater
a sunhat
a warm beanie
suncreen
a few books
a burp cloth
my hooter hider
various toys
her Yo Gabba Gabba dvd *never leave her with a babysitter without it*

**A & D ointment is the best invention and life saver you will ever use. The first thing our post partum nurse *awesome Alma* told us was every time we change Liv's diaper, put a dab of A & D ointment in her diaper and rub it together. We have used this method all this time and she has NEVER had a diaper rash. I urge every parent to try this. It totally works!!

Blankets, onesies, bibs, rattles...I have no particular preference. You will most likely receive an abundance of these at your baby shower *and you can never have enough*. One blanket that does help if you happen to have a summer bebe like us is the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. They are super light fabric so your bebe won't become a sweaty Betty and they are pretty easy to swaddle *it takes practice* it comes with a how-to instructional dvd.

This groom kit is spectacular. I use the nail clippers and comb the most but these are all the essentials you will need.

Grooming kit

List of go-to websites for friends of bebe

Ohdeedoh *amazing nurseries and party inspiration
LilSugar *People magazine's bebe website*
Babycenter *a place for parents to ask questions and get info*
Giggle *my obvious, fave bebe store*
Target *for the basics, register here*
Pottery Barn Kids *furniture and bedding*
Land of Nod *lovely furniture and stuff*
etsy *you will find millions of handmade treasures*
Amazon *you can find almost anything here, for less*
The Pump Station or A Mother's Haven *for the boobyfeeding club*

Blogs of awesome Moms

Uhh, this guy is pretty cool...
Making it Lovely
Design Mom
Marvelous Kiddo
Girls Gone Child
Cakies
Lay Baby Lay
Becoming Mom
Kenzie Poo
Dear Baby

So that's all the must-have bebe items and resources I can think of. I'm sure I will add to the list as I think of things but this is a good start. I will post a guide for toddler-hood soon. Try to resist the urge to punch someone in the face when they give your bebe their thousandth stuffed animal *sheesh, when will people learn to buy you things you need instead of things that just take up space* Congrats to any future parents, Liv is now taking appointments for playdates. Being a parent is life-changing in a way I can't describe. You will quickly forget what life was like pre-bebe but in a rad way. I am happy to answer any questions or add any tips. Bonne Chance!

9 months of Liv

So I am in denial, our Olivia cannot be 9 months old!! That's bananas. It was just 9 months ago I was preggers with this incredible girl and now she's almost a year old. *MIND BLOWN!!* I can't imagine her getting any more awesome than she is now. Our girl has 3 teeth, she will not let me photograph the newest addition. She is clapping, standing every chance she gets and crawling at the speed of a racehorse. Just the other day she flew down the hallway and into the bathroom where I was blowdrying my hair. It's time to maybe purchase a safety gate and we have to hide any electrical cords *since she is mesmorized by them*.

Today we celebrated Liv's big 9 at the park. She loved the slide *which gave her serious static cling and she kept shocking me* and the swings. I love this park in South Pasadena because it's never crowded, has the perfect size swings and doesn't have sand *seriously, whoever thought sand was a wise choice for children to play on is a complete moron* Sorry, I left the Nikon at home so I only had my cell and got these crappy shots/video*

I am waiting for Antz to add her week 39 graphics but he just got back from San Francisco this afternoon so he's on a well deserved break. I don't remember if I mentioned it but I booked the W San Diego for Liv's 1st birthday extraganza!! I am stoked for a mini vacation although I've already been there *boo*

Happy Happy 9 months Olivia Lily!!

Love ya to the MAX ❤❤❤