Baby Buys: Edition 3 - SwaddleMe, please!

I can't tell you how many times have I heard, "I've never been able to wrap my baby like they do in the hospital!" Well dry those tears, no need to fear! I introduce to you the...

Kiddopotamus - SwaddleMe Swaddling Blanket!!

photo courtesy Kiddopotamus

When I had Raegen I received three of these hand-me-down swaddlers from B's aunt and absolutely fell in LOVE with them! I was never a master at the traditional receiving blanket burrito wrap and this swaddle blanket allowed me to not focus on my short comings as a new mama!! haha! It is so easy to use and keeps baby snug and comfy. They come in all colors, fabrics {microfleece, cotton, & cotton flannel}, and sizes {preemie 3-7lb, small7-14lb, & large15-22lb}.

I tried other brands as well, but found the Kiddopotamus to be the best. When Raegen was a baby I could only find these online, but have since seen them in Walmart, Target, and Babies 'R Us stores. They are available online from numerous sources and I'm sure you could find them on eBay for a great price too. The average price for one is $10, and trust me, it's

worth.

every.

penny!

It stays fastened with three simple velcro tabs. When you throw it in the wash, just fold the tab down to prevent the velcro from sticking to other items in the wash. One of the best features is you can easily change baby's diaper WITHOUT removing the wrap. Simply pull the leg pouch down and VIOLA!, baby is ready to be changed!

photo courtesy Kiddopotamus

There is also a harness access slit in the back of the blanket that allows it to be used safely in swings, car seats, and strollers. Click here to see and read more.

I have given numerous of these as baby gifts over the past three years and I can't count how many people I've lent the original three hand-me-down blankets to...I'm pretty sure my sister's even used them two separate times with two different babies! :)

It's a great gift to give AND receive! :)

It's a GIRL!!!

Whoot! Whoot!!

B's sister is expecting their second child and we got the news today that

it's a GIRL!!

We had a nice trend of boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl, with B's side of the family.

And then Lynden came along! haha!

That brings our totals to 5 boys and 4 girls.

Bridget's little girl will get us back on track...so any fam members that are itching for a boy, now's your chance! ;) ;)

Congrats on your PINK!

Add one more, and that makes four!

Lucky Lynden!

Tuesday night our church showered Lynden and myself with all kinds of baby goodies...

and truth be told, they showered Raegen too!

Me and my hostesses with the mostesses!!

Sara, Erin, Trish, me, Lindsay, and Lisa

The ladies did a fantabulous job of organizing, decorating, and cooking for the shower. It was really wonderful. Lisa even brought her daughter's fancy smanchy camera and sat on the floor taking pictures all night...

in her dress and heels!

Now that's a friend! :)

In case you don't know, I'm a bit of a photo-fanatic so it really meant a lot to me that she would do that.

Oh, so sweet!

The cake was made by a lady at church. She did a fantastic job and it wasn't just pretty, it was delicious too!

Oh Erin, behave! :)

Mom, Stacy, Madisyn, and Henry were able to join me and the boys for the shower. It was so nice to have them there. I'm glad they were able to meet a lot of our church family too.

Erin's giving instructions...it's the teacher in her. ;)

I'm sure she was really just practicing one of her "Domains" {it's a boring teacher joke}.

Once again, Madisyn was a fantastic helper. She kept the gifts coming so Aunt Rah didn't have to bend over and get them myself! :) Erin gave her a few pointers and then set her free. Madisyn leaned over and whispered to me, "I don't think she realizes I've done this before."
HA!

Raegen is spoiled.

It's true.

And not by his parents.

His friend, Miss Hannah, came to the shower and not only brought brother Lynden a gift, but she also brought Raegen a birthday gift!

He really thinks he's something now! :) He loves his bounce ball, though I frequently have to remind him it is for him to bounce on, not for him to throw across the room! :) I do believe in that last picture he's explaining to Miss Hannah that she's "too big!" for the ball. Oh, kids.

Trish was my "recorder" for all the gifts. If you've ever done that before, you know it's not easy. And it's definitely not easy to write neatly, but Trish did! I appreciate her perserverance and promise if I ever subject her again to an hour of random camera flashes just inches from her face, I will supply her with a nice pair of sunglasses. :)

Stacy made the above bibs {given to Lynden from his Mimi} and also a necktie onesie AND bib {pictured below}! Super cute!

One of the teens made the canvas paintings...free-hand! Now that's some talent!

Heather was my "official" paparazzi of the night, using my "new" camera {yes, I've been holding out!!}. Poor Trish wished she had brought her sunglasses!! :) Heather was quite the photog trooper too and sat right where the action was and even moved around to capture some candid shots for me. You're awesome Heather!

Can you believe I received an 8-pack of Diet Pepsi at Lynden's shower?

Talk about "knowing" a person! I also got bon-bons!! :) {B is always teasing me and telling others that I sit around all day watching Soaps and eating bon-bons!}

Mrs. Lori made created the cutest blanket... it has fabric tabs on the front to attach toys, links, etc. I've never seen anything like it and just love it. She also included an adorable wooden toy bar that I'm sure Lynden will love playing with during tummy time. The colors in this blanket match exactly to the quilt that Raegen's Nana made him when he was born...so fun and bright!

Are the above shoes not adorable?

They're "pricey" Pedipeds, but were scored for a bargain at a recent consignment sale.

Oh, talk about a woman after my own heart!

{did I mention she's as much a Diet Pepsi addict as me?!}

It was such a great night of fun and fellowship and I feel very blessed to be part of such a wonderful congregation of women.

Hot-n-Ready

I received a text yesterday afternoon that read,
"If I made you dinner and delivered it around 5:30 would that be good?"
My response?
"Like tonight? Like yeah!!!! :)"

My good friend Treena

took pity on my piggies {and hubs and little king!!} and cooked us a fine home-cooked meal.

It was delivered HOTT and delicious!

She even made homemade rolls!

Oh. my. dear. yummy. goodness!

Look at that beautiful plate of colorful food...

It was quite a chore to stay off my feet because I have plenty more I would like to accomplish before Lynden arrives. However, I didn't want a repeat performance of Tuesday night, so I stayed as close to the couch as much as possible. My feet aren't "normal", but they're definitely better.

I wanted to show Treena some gifts I received at the church shower and when she walked in the craft room she said,

"WOW! I bet you were just itching to put this stuff away today!"

Oh, it was just killing me!

We were roommates in college so she knows how OCD I am!! ha!

I really did want to go through all the gifts again

{I like to take my time and you don't really get to "ooh" and "ahh" over the gifts at the shower as much as you want...

if I had I'd probably still be there opening up gifts!}

and start organizing and putting things away. Maybe I'll get to do a little at a time today.

Remember the snow day when Treena came to visit and came bearing gifts?

I promised pics, so here they are...

This has to be my FAVE gift because I had already

decided to just use one of Raegen's old diaper bags for Lynden.

I'm really excited he has his "own" now.

And I luh-huh-hove the color and pattern!!

Treena also made these adorable burp cloths...

And her mother made these...

AND this...

AND this!

The blanket is really big, but also lightweight. It will be perfect for using as a stroller cover {you know, to keep all the crazies at bay} or to throw on the floor as a nice big playmat.

The Lord has really blessed us with wonderful friends and we are so grateful. We really strive to have a giving spirit, but I know we {especially myself} fall short. I want to be more conscious of others needs and how to help so that I can be a better friend to those around me.

And I really do promise, as soon as Treena gets me the delicious meatball recipe...I WILL be posting it! :)

Cankle Conundrum

On Sunday I noticed my feet and legs swelling. It was quite comical and I shared my cankle news with the "guys". After they picked their jaws up off the floor, Taco offered to get me a bucket of ice water to soak them in. :)

Since Raegen was with his Grandparents on Monday, I treated myself to a spa pedicure.

Oooooh, ahhhh....

notice my left cankle is larger than the right?

Tuesday was full of doctor appointments and errands...my poor husband has been begging for more macaroni!! :) I ran by Sam's before my last appointment of the day and I do believe it was the straw that broke the camel's back. My ankles actually looked decent yesterday morning, but by the time I got done at Sam's I wasn't sure if I'd be able to wear my shoes OUT of the store {and I had on sandals!}! ha!

I had a great report at the doc's office...perfect blood pressure and no protein in my "sample". So, it's no more than general end of pregnancy woes I suppose. My doc assured me there is an ankle still in there...somewhere... ;) If you look hard enough in the next picture, you still won't find it. haha.

Today my day will consist of lying on my left side, soaking my feet in Epsom salt, and drinking plenty of water. Any other suggestions?

My church threw me a wonderful shower last night {pics to come later} and when I got home I was literally wiped out. I'm not one to sit down and do nothing, but last night I didn't have an option...my body couldn't take any more! :)

So we all got a couch and just vegged out in front of the TV.

I'm glad I finished the laundry, including washing and replacing all my baby gear fabrics{carseat, bassinet, bouncy seat, etc.}, and grocery shopping yesterday. I have plenty more I would like to do, but I REALLY don't want to experience last night's pain again, so I think I'll just keep my piggies propped up today! :)

Dollar Day is March 13!!

'Dollar Day is March 13!!'

PLEASE JOIN COLEMAN DAIRY AND
THE LITTLE ROCK ZOO FOR
COLEMAN DAIRY DOLLAR DAY!

EVERYONE GETS IN FOR $1.00
MARCH 13, 2010
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(last admission is at 4:00 PM)

Baby "Hai-Rae"

Saturday morning Amber, Maricela, and myself headed to help shower Ruth, Toby, and baby Hailey Rae. For those of you that don't know, Ruth's father was Billy and Amber's pastor while they were growing up. They are still extremely close to the family and when we travel home to see Billy's parents, we always stop in to visit with Bro. Kent and his family. Ruth married Toby who was once a member at the church Amber, Maricela, and myself all attended. So we're all connected in more than one way.

Amber, Ruth {baby Hailey Rae}, Robin {baby Lynden Rucker}, and Maricela

These ladies were dressed as twinks! I think they secretly called each other that morning!! :)

Ruth's estimated due date is 3/8, just one week after Lynden's...she and I know FOUR other people that are due within a week of our EDD's!

The shower was hosted by Toby's sister and aunt. They ordered the cake from a local bakery and it was soooo cute!!!

It was also really, REALLY good!!

Maricela and I had to leave early to finish prepping for Raegen's birthday party. Amber promised she would take lots of pictures for me, and she did!! However, her camera battery died right before Ruth got to our gifts...so here's a picture of them all wrapped up! :) Amber filled this cute basket with all kinds of goodness...diapers, wipes, clothes, and cutesy wall letters she decorated with pink and brown scrapbook paper. She did a great job and I know they'll look adorable on Hailey's nursery wall.

I'm not sure who gave this, but I thought it was adorable. It's a little girl's umbrella filled with baby items and all wrapped up in pink netting...what a great gift idea!

Maricela found the cutest little dresses and outfits for Hailey. Little girl's clothing is just too precious!

Raegen sent along some gifts for his little friend too...GermX {a must have!! :)}, a pink rattle, and this cute carseat toy.

Ruth and Toby live about 2 1/2 hours away so we probably won't get to visit when Hailey is born. Since I won't be able to place a big bird in her yard, I decided to make a wreath for her to hang on the hospital door and then on their front door at home.

Of course I made her a wrap!! :)

a wipe case {surprise, surprise, huh? ;)},

and a burp cloth. You know she'll need plenty of those!!

It was great to spend time with Ruth and Toby. Baby Hailey Rae is so blessed to be receiving such wonderful parents.