Must Have New Baby Items: 2022 Edition

When Betsy was born in 2020, I started sharing problem solving products and items that were super helpful while she was a new baby and we were figuring out how the heck to be parents in a global pandemic. 

Now that Baby #2 is here (Welcome, Toby!) we've relied on some of the same things, but there are some new additions to my list of must have new baby items. 

1. A good breastfeeding pillow

With Betsy I used the My Breast Friend pillow, and while it was a good option, this FridaMom Nursing Pillow is a better one. The storage pockets, adjustable height, and ease of cleaning make it a 10/10 for me. This is especially important when baby is a newborn. They're pretty floppy and you'll want as much support as possible as you figure out how to best feed your babe.

2. A million muslin cloths.

You might be thinking to yourself, "Surely I won't need more than six of those!" You're wrong. You         need a million. Or as close to a million as you can get because frankly, babies are gross. Simple muslin cloths like these are ideal for any number of situations. When baby spits up, when baby drools, when baby sneezes, when baby somehow manages to projectile vomit all over the floor, or when baby smiles and you start weeping. 

 

3. Nipple cream

I somehow didn't know about nipple cream (or knew and didn't think I'd need it?) with Betsy, but luckily another former Miss VT enlightened me and saved me from a lot of discomfort. For round 2 with Toby I ordered about 5 different kinds to try and this nipple cream from Bamboobies was my hands down favorite. It's easy to use and very effective. Not too liquid, not too solid. Doesn't smell weird. This is the winner, friends. Order some now, trust me. 

 

4. Good nursing bras

If you are going to feed a baby from your body, you are going to need a way to easily access the milk supply. As someone who deals with having a very full bust even when not nursing, I am keenly aware of what a struggle this can be for large chested folks.

Here are my two nursing bra recommendations:

Sugar Candy Nursing Bra

Kindred Bravely Sublime Bra 

  

5. Nursing friendly clothing

If you want to wear a dress while nursing, you're going to have to be strategic. If you wear a non-nursing friendly shirt you'll be ok. You can just hike it up- it's annoying but fine. A dress or a jumpsuit however...not so much. Here are some nursing friendly winners for me:

This maxi dress. I have it in two colors! I wore it home from having Toby!

 

This shirt. Is it cute? Eh. Is it super practical and comfortable? YES.

 

 

This button down.  

 

 

 

6. A really good glider

Three years ago we had no idea if investing $$$ in a glider would be a good idea. We found one second hand that squeaked, and we got a recliner that ended up being terrible. Luckily, by the time 2022 rolled around we knew we'd need a really good glider. We went with this one from Pottery Barn Kids and it's been a total winner. 

 

7. Really good diapers

We've cloth diapered with both Betsy and Toby but during the newborn phase, at night, and when we're traveling I still use disposable options. Hello Bello and Amazon's in house brand, Mama Bear, were good for Betsy but they didn't fit newborn Toby particularly well. We had gotten a sample of Coterie diapers from Babylist that fit wonderfully, so that's what we've used for him when we have him in disposable diaps. 

8. Really good scent free lotion

For YEARS I've seen people raving about Tubby Todd in mom/parenting groups. I rolled my eyes and didn't try it....until Bets had chapped cheeks during the winter. Tubby Todd All Over Ointment? You guys. WOW. It seriously lives up to the hype. I also like their every day lotion, and we've used Pipette's body lotion successfully too. 

I'd suggest getting the Tubby Todd All Over Ointment 3 Tube Travel Pack, since it's a little bit easier to manage than a jar.  

Pipette is also a solid (and very affordable) choice.  

 

9. Lovevery Toys

These are 100% worth it. The toys are high quality and the guides that come with them help you to better understand and support your baby's development. Plus, send me a message on instagram and I miiiiiight just be able to hook you up with a discount code. Might. 

 

10. Postnatal Vitamin

You've been taking a prenatal for so long, it's time to keep up with your body's new nutritional needs. I've taken Ritual vitamins for years and years now- they're stellar and have never once made me nauseated. 

Read More

Roasted Lemon Shallot Chicken and Cauliflower

 A while back, I happened to have chicken breast, cauliflower, and a bizarre number of lemons on hand. "What recipe could I possibly make?" I asked the internet. Well, the internet delivered this gem: Chicken with Cauliflower and Olives and while it's a great recipe, not everyone in our house loves olives like I do, and it's a pain to keep fresh thyme on hand. 

So I modified the recipe to simplify it, and it's since become WILDLY popular here. My mom (a professional cook who happens to be related to Julia Child) loves it and has even been known to request that I make it. I make a very large batch of it because it keeps well and it's one of those dishes where the leftovers are even better the next day. You can obviously halve this recipe really easily. As a bonus, it's dairy free, gluten free, and paleo friendly, if you're into that. 

Roasted Lemon Shallot Chicken and Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into nugget sized chunks 
• 4 to 6 heads of cauliflower (this sounds like a lot, but it cooks down and ends up being the best part)
• 6 to 8 shallots, minced
• 6 cloves of garlic, minced (but of course, always measure garlic with your heart)
• Four lemons: zested and juiced
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)
• olive oil
• thyme or other herbs you like if you want to get fancy- follow your heart

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400F
2. Combine the shallots, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs, salt and pepper with enough olive oil to thoroughly cover all of the ingredients, then add a bit more olive oil. Mix them together. Pro tip: I like to combine these in a large Pyrex measuring cup, like this one so that it's easier to pour over the chicken and cauliflower later. 
3. Lightly (remember, there's more olive oil to come with that mixture) drizzle olive oil into the bottom of as many casserole dishes as you need to accommodate the amount of chicken and cauliflower you're using. As cousin Julia famously said, always start with a bigger pot than you think you'll need- the same is true of casserole dishes in this case. 
4. Cut your chicken breast into chunks and place a single layer of chicken in the bottom of each casserole dish. Ideally there should be at least some room between the chunks. You need at least a bit of room for the cauliflower. 
5. Cut your many heads of cauliflower into florets and toss them in with the chicken. It's ok if it looks crowded, I promise it will cook down. 
6. Spoon/pour the shallot mixture over the chicken and cauliflower. Try to evenly distribute all of those delicious minced bits. If you feel like it's looking dry or you missed some spots, drizzle some more olive oil on there if you need to. 
7. Place in the oven at 400-425F for 30-45 minutes, depending on what you're working with. You want a little bit of roasty charring on top and the chicken to be cooked through. If you're nervous about the chicken getting dry, cover the dishes with aluminum foil for the first 15-20 minutes and then remove the foil for the rest of the cooking. I like to live on the wild side/I often forget to tent the pans and it's still good. 
8. If you're exciting and into textures, you can serve this over couscous. If not, eat it straight. Enjoy.

Read More

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2021

 Ok look, my husband is a truly wonderful man- a great husband, very involved dad, great at doing the dishes, and he makes sure to keep my favorite wines and liquors stocked. He has many strengths, but when it comes to choosing gifs for me, well... Joel does his best. He's awesome, but he struggles gifts I'd enjoy receiving. 

Proof:

Bless his heart. 

I also want to be very very clear, as someone who has been a biological mother for over a year, Mother's Day isn't just for people like me. Mother's Day is for ALL people who mother: step mothers, foster mothers, aspiring mothers, expectant mothers, godmothers, "basically step mothers", aunts- if you do the work, you get this day too. You count. You matter. You deserve appreciation and recognition if you do mothering work. 

Now, if you're thinking to yourself "I've been a slacker and there's no way anything will arrive in time for Mother's Day!" it's ok- mom will forgive you if your thoughtful gift arrives a little bit late. 

So for those of you who have taste similar to mine, and your loved ones who want to make you feel loved, here's a list of Mother's Day Gifts: 

1. Nespresso Vertuo Machine 

    New mom or experienced mom, no matter what, she needs energy. She probably drinks coffee. She deserves to have that coffee be good. If the mother in your life drinks coffee and a Nespresso machine is within your budget, FOR THE LOVE: get her one. 

2. Barrington Gifts Notebook Cover

    This is exactly the kind of gift that I covet but can never justify getting for myself. Do I *need* a personalized notebook cover? No. Would I love it as a thoughtful gift? Absolutely. They have a ton of fabric options and quite a few monogram styles, so whatever you choose will be unique to you!

3. Olive and June Pedicure kit

I have a friend who loves Olive and June products so much that she's sworn off nail salons entirely. While I'm not sure I'm ready to make that leap, manicures and pedicures haven't been something I've been comfortable with until recently, when I became fully vaccinated. Even though I'm good to go now, the logistical hassle of finding care for Betsy, scheduling and appointment, getting there, parking, tipping, etc. isn't something that I'm going to have the energy for every month. 

        *follow this link for 20% off!*

4. Mixtiles Gift Card

    I've been really pleased with my Mixtiles orders- in large part because I don't have to deal with putting nails in walls or committing to photo placement.

5. Lee Fiori Birthstone ring

    If you're going to go the birthstone route, make it cool, like this ring. 

6. Birthflower necklace

    I'm a big fan of birth flower jewelry vs. the same old birthstone jewelry. Last year for Mother's Day I got my mom this necklace that had a violet and a rose on it. Violets are for February, when she and Betsy have birthdays, and the rose is for June, when my birthday is. 

7. Diaper bag pouches

Is this a shameless plug for my own products? Yes. 

I designed these because I couldn't find pouches that worked for what I wanted in my purse/diaper bag. More organization of the things that we need to lug around is always a helpful thing 

8. momAgenda Planner

Check out this post I wrote that goes into extensive detail about why momAgenda products are awesome. 

 

9. Custom Letterboard Letters

    Ok, I never wanted to jump on the letter board trend, but the custom letter set that I got from DesignsKMH on Esty made me feel ok about it...and it's resulted in some adorable photos. 

10. Get her car detailed for her. 

    Have you SEEN the inside of most mom's cars? Google "car detailing near me" and see what comes up. Book it, get her a gift certificate, or do the work yourself (this is definitely the sweetest option) and DO NOT JUDGE HER for what you or anyone else finds in there. 

Read More

MomAgenda 2021!

*Yes, this post features affiliate links- to a woman owned and run business that I've been purchasing from for six years before becoming an affiliate of theirs*

Proof that Leslie Knope is a 3 and not a 1.

 It's no secret that I've been a fan of MomAgenda for a while now- I bought my first planner of theirs six years ago during a layover in Seattle. 

I was initially like "I'm not a mom...is this for me? Is this for someone who has a house with a bunch of kids? I'm a Flight Attendant who lives in a crash pad and has no children."

But I gave it a shot in spite of my initial skepticism, and I found the organization and structure to be super useful. 

If you're someone who's juggling multiple separate projects, focuses, or family members all at the same time, the myAgenda or MomAgenda might be for you. 

After being a fangirl for so many years, I was THRILLED to be able to work with them and to be a small part of their latest planner launch. THRILLED I SAY. 

My go-to from MomAgenda has always been the myAgenda Desktop planner. 

She's classic. She's cute. She's organized. She looks good when you take her out in public if we can ever go out in public again. She's big enough to plan your weeks, but small enough to keep in your bag. She can be monogrammed. The one thing she isn't great at is having her photo taken because of how light reflects off of her cover. 

myAgenda Desktop Planner

When the cool people of MomAgenda reached out to see if I would be interested in receiving one of the brand new 2021-2022 planners, I metaphorically leapt at the chance. I decided to go with a style that I haven't ordered in the past because my work lifestyle has been so different lately. Instead of layovers, I've been working from a TV table in the playroom- though thankfully, that's changing because we've made the call to basically convert our dining room into my office. Because why not? We aren't going to be hosting dinner parties any time soon. Even if the pandemic weren't a thing (AND IT STILL IS, PEOPLE), our obnoxious dogs make having a nice dinner virtually impossible. 

I went with the new momAgenda Home Office Edition, and HOO BOY. 

SHE IS BIG. She's a behemoth. She has so much room for activities. She's physically imposing and you get the feeling that she could be used as a good defensive weapon. 

The Home Office Edition very obviously lives up to its name and is designed to live on a surface (possibly with a shrine of her own) and isn't designed for portability. When I unwrapped her, I immediately understood why MomAgenda came out with a Home Office Edition Mini. The spiral binding and quality cover are fantastic for usability, but the Home Office Edition is just so BIG. 

As intimidated as I am, I'm also fine with the size, because I don't plan on taking her anywhere very often. The pandemic rarely requires me to change work locations, but on top of that: spiral bindings are problematic if you need a portable planner. Even the best, highest quality, sturdiest spiral bindings will get bent and bumped around if you're carrying them around in your bag. If you know you're going to need to carry your planner around with you, I would strongly encourage you to opt for one of the Desktop versions that are bound like a book.

I'm very happy to have something with loads of room that I won't be moving around- that's what I was hoping for! 

The folks at momAgenda also released a brand new type of planner that they're calling a Self-Care Planner. This is another product where, upon hearing about it initially, I rolled my eyes and thought "That's not for me. Pshh." Then I saw the layout of the pages (they're daily, not weekly or monthly like the other planners) and I figured I'd give it a whirl. *this item was not comped, I purchased it*

And you know what? I'm a surprised fan of the Self-Care Planner.  Because it has more space for each day, I'm able to write in all of the details that I'm juggling that day on the right hand page, and the details to be filled in on the left don't help me plan out basic self care, but it makes me pay attention to what I'm doing. What did I eat for breakfast? Did I eat breakfast? Oh, right, I drank coffee while trying to get Betsy to stop throwing peanut puffs to the dogs. How much water have I had so far? Oh, none. Ok, I need to go fill up my Molly Pitcher. 

I don't journal daily because frankly, I don't like dwelling in my emotions (I AM AN ENNEAGRAM THREEEEEE) but the section for gratitudes is nice, and the space for reflections & notes gives me an easy way to record if anything significant happened that day. That much journaling, I can handle. There's also a section labeled "me time", which made me roll my eyes again...until I thought about it. Wait, what have I done today that's been time where I'm not focused on anyone else? Ah....I should pay attention to that...

So I'm digging it. I also like that the pages are undated so if I miss a day, it's not a big deal. I also like that if I *do* use it every day, it lasts three months so it isn't a year long commitment like a regular planner is.

Now for the cool news: I've partnered with momAgenda for a GIVEAWAY! 

Want to win a momAgenda Home Edition? Here's what you need to do:

1. Follow me on Instagram.
2. Follow momAgenda on Instagram.
3. Share my post about this giveaway to your story and tag me in it to make sure I see it. 
4. Bonus entry: comment on *this post* with a self care thing you want to be better about doing. 

And now for some photo comparisons!

myAgenda Desktop, momAgenda Home Office Edition, Self-Care Planner

myAgenda Desktop and momAgenda Home Office Edition (only three initials were available on the Home Office cover) 

Home Office Edition and Self-Care Planner, which I believe is the same size as the Home Office Mini

My fairly normal size hand for comparison.
I wear a women's small or medium glove. 
This planner is MASSIVE. 

August 2021 in the Home Office Edition vs. August 2021 in the myAgenda Desktop

Read More

Betsy Win's Top Toys! 0-18 month Baby Toys

• Lovevery

1. The Playgym: I sat on this for a few months before purchasing. It's SO much more expensive than most play gyms...is it really worth it? For us, YES. It's simple, interactive, and it's actually not hideous. Betsy loved it when she was teeny tiny and kept playing with it as she got older. 
2. Play Kits: another Lovevery purchase I debated extensively but am SO GLAD we went for. Betsy has absolutely LOVED the toys that have come in the kits- she's particularly fond of the tissue box from The Senser Play Kit, the nesting stacker drip drop cups from The Inspector Play Kit, and ALL of the balls (wooden, felt, plastic) from the various kits. One of my favorite things about them is that the toys work together and build on each other. For example, the tissue box is from the 5-6 month Senser Play Kit, but she LOVES using it at 13 months old to put balls from the Inspector Play Kit that's designed for kids who are 7-8 months old. I love that the toys are high quality, SAFE, aesthetically pleasing, and come with instructions/information that makes it super easy to engage with your child and encourage their development. I actually love the Lovevery line so much that I've partnered with them (there was an application process and an interview! They're very selective.) to offer a special discount on the Play Kits. They've given me a limited number of discount codes, so if you're on the fence about ordering, you have questions, or you're ready to take the plunge, message me by clicking this link and I'll hook you up! Message me for a Lovevery gift!

• Dimpl: Betsy Win received this as a Christmas gift from one of her Godparents, and she has been OB. SESSED. with it for months now. 

• Poke a Dot Books: another Christmas gift that became an obsession. These are basically little plastic buttons that she presses. They make a very satisfying "pop" noise and she is all about it. 

1. Old MacDonald Poke a Dot
2. Alphabet Cards
3. Vehicles

• Foam tiles: we have a few different play spaces that have required foam mats, and these have been the ones we've liked the best. Betsy personally enjoys #3 on this list because she can take the mat tiles apart most easily. 

1. Single Mat
2. Big Tiles
3. Our favorite 

• Lady Lambikins: we were given this Jellycat Lamb by a dear friend the day before Betsy Win was born, and she ADORES her. We call her Lady Lambikins (why? Who could say.) and she's the softest, snuggliest, best loved lamb in our house. 

• Mom's glasses: Betsy loves glasses. Prescription. Sun. Blue light. She's fascinated by them Since I'm not willing to jeopardize my pricey prescription lenses, she gets to play with my inexpensive blue light glasses. 

1. Ones I Have
2. In My Cart

• Sandra Boynton Books: these have been gifted to us by various friends and relatives, and Betsy DEMANDS them be read to her on repeat. What I really enjoy is that each of Sandra Boynton's books has a hilarious surprise for grown ups at some point. I literally laughed out loud when I got to the funny page in "How Big is Zagnodd".  

1. Moo, Baa, La la la
2. Doggies
3. How Big is Zagnodd?

• Cardboard: this artisanal toy can be curated from various recycling bins around your house, or even your neighborhood! Now, do I recommend rifling through your neighbor's recycling during a pandemic (or ever)? No. The good news is that if you order *any* of the other toys on this list, they're almost guaranteed to come with this popular toy as a free addition. 

• Old magazines: another customizable curated toy. Betsy LOVES sitting down to learn about the world by shredding her way through back issues of "Real Simple", "UU World", and the American Bar Association magazine.

• Frida Baby Scrubber: hygiene tool, teether, and toy all in one! 

Toys we've been eyeing for her:

1. Dimpl Stack
2. Dimple Digits
3. Rainbow Color Matching Game
4. Music Fraction Game
5. Every single thing from Things They Love
1. Ocamora Cave
2. Ocamora Rainbow Building Blocks
3. Sensory Bread Stones

Read More

Are Doulas Just For Hippies?

 When I was newly pregnant with wee Betsy Win, back when she was known as Sparkle Bright and we were just hoping that she'd stick, I started researching birth options. Like, not a lot, because it somehow felt like considering birth too early would jinx the first trimester, but I knew that pregnancy and birth involve needles, which I have a severe phobia around. So I started investigating my options. 

Between my phobia and my family medical history (my mom had an epidural during labor with me and almost died as a result) I knew that an epidural wasn't going to be an option. 

A note: I have absolutely NOTHING against epidurals at all. During labor I said out loud that I understand why people get them. My issue is that I think a lot of people go into birth thinking that they *need* to have an epidural to survive the experience, which isn't true at all. If you want one and make an informed decision to have one as part of your process, more power to ya. But don't let ANYONE- society, the media, your partner, a medical person- try to convince you that you need an epidural in order to give birth and not suffer. 

In my research, I read about the role that a Doula can play during birth, but I almost immediately dismissed the idea that *I* needed a Doula. Why?

1. My husband is a former Army combat medic who keeps his EMT certification current. If ANY husband could handle being a birthing partner, it was him. 
2. A Doula seemed like an unnecessary expense that our insurance wouldn't cover.
3. It sounded a little too hippy dippy for me. A non medical support STRANGER there during my childbirth? What would they do to help, burn incense and chant? 

Then when I announced that I was pregnant at around 14 weeks, a friend of mine reached out to me on Instagram. It turned out she was in her final stages of training to become a Doula, and would I be open to having her help out so that she could get her birth hours in? Well of COURSE. I'm happy to help a friend, and since she wouldn't be some random stranger burning incense, I was cool with it. 

Y'all. THANK THE GOOD SWEET GODDESS DOLLY PARTON THAT I SAID YES. 

A therapist I was seeing for my needle phobia suggested I try out Hypnobirthing. I was deeply skeptical. Logan told me Hypnobirthing was "the tits". SHE WAS RIGHT. 

Logan helped work through our birth plan, which was less of a plan and more of a list of "birthing hopes and dreams", which sounds dumb but is appropriately flexible for the improv session that is childbirth. Logan made suggestions and SHE WAS RIGHT about every single one of them. 

We met with Logan a few times via Zoom leading up to Betsy's arrival, and during every session she made me feel empowered, confident, supported, and like I was smart. I realized that I was smart- at least about hiring Logan to be our Doula, because what it boiled down to for me was that I was going to have an advocate on my side who was knowledgable and experienced about childbirth. I hadn't been part of a birth since my own, and while I know my husband is a rockstar in a medical emergency...what if there was no emergency? What if it was just a long slog of a labor and he needed a drink of water? 

At some point, I realized that Logan basically does for childbirth what I've done for years as a wedding manager/ Professional Bridesmaid/ event manager. She helped us prepare and organize for this huge event, then she handled a lot of the logistics during the day of so that we could just experience it. 

When the big day finally came, it was 11:59pm on February 1, 2020. I texted Logan that I was in labor shortly after I realized that I was in labor (someday I'll share Betsy's full birth story, but suffice it to say that sometimes water breaking feels weird and you have to google a Cosmo article to figure out what's happening) and she leapt out of bed and got on the road. 

Logan joined us at the Birth Center a few hours later, and what I remember is her arriving like a magical fairy. She immediately jumped into supporting every choice I was making, helped Joel to do all the support things I needed from him, and worked with our medical team like she'd known them for years. 

Logan made it possible for me to preserve *some* of my dignity in childbirth. Logan made it possible for Joel to relax (a little) and be fully there for the moment he became a Dad. Logan made it possible for Joel to have a snack after being awake for 24 hours straight. Logan helped us employ a whole bunch of birth strategies that ultimately resulted in a drug free labor that lasted less than 10 hours. Logan took photos for us that I hadn't even considered I'd want. Logan helped to manage our waiting mothers so that I didn't have to think about it. 

Then, in the weeks following, Logan checked in on me via text, making sure that we were supported during the postpartum process...which led directly into the global pandemic we still find ourselves wading through. 

So this World Doula Week, I would encourage you to have an open mind about having a teammate who can help to make your pregnancy and childbirth process SO MUCH BETTER. 

If you're in the DC area, hire Logan. If you're not in DC, hire Logan to help you get ready virtually. If you're in a place where you can have a Doula join you in person, contact Logan and ask what you should be looking for. 

Check out the AMAZING work that Logan and her partner do over at Earth & Air Co. 

If you have questions about what it's like to have a Doula for natural childbirth, hit me up on Instagram and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction and/or share my experience. 

Read More

Optimism After a Year of Pandemic Life

Warning: if you're not interested in hopeful optimism then this post isn't for you. 

Circle back when you're ready for it. 

We've been in a pandemic for the last year, and there are a lot of reasons to feel down right now- some experiences are universal (HEY COVID), while others effect some people more than others. 

Maybe it's the constantly looming threat of illness and/or death in the midst of a global pandemic. 

Maybe it's the pressure of caring for a baby in the midst of that pandemic. 

Maybe it's the attempt at insurrection by radical right-wing extremists. 

Maybe it's the stress of openly acknowledging social justice failures. 

Maybe it's the pain and weight of systemic racism. 

Maybe it's struggling for basic survival everyday. 

Right now, existence feels heavy and the problems feel so big...so it's easy to feel small and hopeless. 

Look, I don't want to fall into the quagmire of toxic positivity (feel your dark feelings if that's what you need to do!) but I for one and SICK AND TIRED of wading through Debbie Downer mentality all day every day. 

I have enough of that on repeat in my own head that I don't want to consume media that's filled with conflict and negativity and sadness. 

Pessimism is BORING. 

I'm just not interested in it. No THANK you. 

So here are some things I hold on to in order to avoid falling into a boring pit of hopeless and pessimistic despair:

Morgan Harper Nichols is a modern day prophet. 

We are living in the most peaceful time in human history: a slideshow. 

What are you doing to hang onto hope?

Read More