Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens!  
Brown paper packages tied up with strings...these are a few of my favorite things!  Sorry, I love The Sound of Music, I couldn't resist.  But seriously, this page is full of items that we love.  
​Be sure to come back to this page often as I'll update it when I come across new favorites!

LED Flashing Wand

Ryker's favorite toy as an infant, and the toy that helped us practice vision therapy AND motivate him to roll over!  This LED Wand is cheap and awesome...best $5 ever spent!

Amazon Prime

If you're not already using Amazon Prime, then you totally should be.  Out of paper towels? Amazon Prime. Out of toilet paper? Amazon Prime. Out of diapers? You won't be, because with Amazon Prime they would have already been delivered via auto-ship so you're stocked up!  Seriously, folks, this saves a LOT of time! 

Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Cover

This Covered Goods nursing cover is simply one of the greatest purchases I made when I was pregnant...in fact, after Ryker was born I loved my black and white cover SO much that I went ahead and ordered another one in their watercolor print.  For $35, you cannot go wrong.  I can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten on this awesome item!

Sakura Bloom Ring Sling

I'm new to the babywearing world (yes, it exists and it's a big world), but I picked up this Sakura Bloom ring sling when Ryker was born and I LOVE it...but more importantly, Ryker loves it too! He is comfortable and sturdy in the ring sling and I can use two hands!  I got the black sling because black seems to be my "go to" color, but they have a fabulous selection of linen and silk ring slings (I have my eye on the Shadow + Smoke ring sling...it's beautiful!).

Bloom Baby

Four dads founded Bloom Baby, and I love everything that they make. My sister Brooke, from Growing Wright, showed me the Fresco Chrome high chair when I was pregnant and it's awesome. It can be used in a bassinet position for newborns AND it grows with the kiddo (apparently all the way to toddlerville!).  After researching the highchair, I fell in love with ALL of their items and pretty soon my nursery was set.  The Alma Max crib is fabulous, and when we grow out of the crib it will fold up nicely for storage! 

Spill-Proof Straw Cups

Ryker worked hard to learn how to drink from a straw -- the movement helps a lot with speech development (particularly to learn the "m" sound for "mama"), so we had to try these out when I found them.  He doesn't have to suck too hard to get a drink, and he quickly learned how to drink from a straw by using them!  These cups are cheap, colorful, and they really are spill-proof! 

Instant Pot

Game changer.  I just got this Instant Pot for Christmas, and let me tell you -- it's worth it!  Baby back ribs prepared in 32 minutes?  A whole chicken cooked in 30 minutes? I can now come home from work and have a delicious home made meal ready in less than an hour with this baby!

DOHM Sound Machine

My sister and brother-in-law told me when I was pregnant to get a sound machine -- they said it was a necessity!  So I researched sound machines and found the DOHM sound machine ...it is AWESOME.  In fact, I loved it SO much that I got one for our room AND for Ryker's nursery.  Special tip: if you register at Buy Buy Baby, your registry gift will include a coupon for $10 off a DOHM sound machine...use that with your 20% off coupon and you can pick this baby up for $30!  (Special shout out to my cousin Kristin at Growing Up Gill who also happens to love this sound machine!)

Emeibaby Carrier

Here's another item from the babywearing world that I have grown to love...my awesome Emeibaby Carrier!  I went to a local store here in Des Moines, Little Padded Seats, to test out a bunch of carriers.  I fell in love with this Emeibaby AND it was meant to be because they only had ONE of this ocean-themed carrier in stock.  It's one of the only soft-structured carriers (SSCs) that you can use with infants without an insert, and it can grow with Ryker (I can even wear him on my back when he gets a little bigger)!  Plus, it's SUPER comfortable and, like my ring sling, Ryker loves it. 

...a few more favorites

I feel like this page would be lacking if I didn't include a shout out to some of my favorite blogs and websites -- especially Growing Wright, written by my sister and brother-in-law, and Growing Up Gill, written by cousin!  I'd be lying if I said their blogs didn't inspire me to get started...please go check them out!
In the spirit of full disclosure, some of the above products may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission if you choose to buy the product after clicking through my link.  I only recommend products that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.