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I’m always amazed at how this (lower left) can become that (lower right). It doesn’t make sense! WHERE was that baby hiding in there? It’s almost like one of those magic tents that Harry Potter stays in during the Quidditch World Cup tournament in book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Harry Potter, if you’re reading this, I love you and would love to photograph your babies.
Love it, love it, love it!
You remember these guys! Well they’re back, but this time they’re sporting a brand spankin’ new baby girl to join their already beautiful little G. I know, they’re like the perfect family, but you can’t hate them because they really are the nicest people you’d ever want to meet – but the littlest one isn’t much of a conversationalist.
I LOVE this one of Sevi and Charissa! I wish I had something like this from my mom and I when I was little. The first photo I have is from my first Christmas and I’m wearing reindeer antlers and clapping at nothing. It’s just not the same……….
Poor Sophie seemed less than thrilled with her new lot in life but it made for a funny outtake.
And now on to the REALLY good part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve had several of you inquiring about the unbelievably adorable little hats that I used in this shoot, and really, who can blame you – they are from the insanely talented Nicole over at Persnickety’s Knits. I stumbled across her Etsy shop a while back and have been obsessed ever since (like parking-outside-her-house-and-taking-pictures-obsessed). That woman is truly gifted with yarn and I completely stalk her shop, waiting to see what she will come up with next. I don’t know how she does it.
I knitted poor John a scarf once and it was probably one of the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. He wore it once to be nice (cause he’s that type of guy) but it has since been residing in the unloved deep depths of the coat closet. I suppose it didn’t help that I accidentally stitched the ends together…
Anyways………..she’s also one of the nicest people I have never met and has agreed to supply me with one of her fabulous new creations to give away to one very lucky little commenter. Look at this hat………just look at it. It’s PERFECT and will be absolutely adorable on some very lucky little girl. I’m no baby head expert but I think it’s probably for newborn up to 9mths?
It’s gorgeous and you will love it!
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below on the blog before midnight on Sunday answering this:
In the spirit of Operation Baby Panic, “What is one item that you could NOT raise a baby without and what is an item to not even bother wasting a dime on?” (the answers “nipples” and “husbands”, respectively, will not be considered).
Don’t stress, there are no right or wrong answers but the person with the best comment will win. John will be picking……….so if you don’t win………send the hate mail to him – SweetBuns77@Hotmale.com
And go check out Nicole’s shop. It’s a great place to get baby shower gifts or snag something adorable for your own little monster.
Happy commenting!
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Can i still win the hat? can i still comment? well, i think you will most certainly need a baby swing. make that TWO baby swings. It was my life saver for some much needed naps! for me and onyx! of course i exceeded the weight limit, so onyx was the only one who got to use it, so you may need to social story john about how the swing is just for the babies before hand.
One thing you could totally do without would be a bouncer!! The swing out rocks the bouncer. Once the babes experience the swing, nothing, NOTHING will compare. my bouncer held stuffed animals and some batteries that i should probably take out considering they’re brand new….. brb
Couldn’t have raised you without: a rocking chair
Everything is better in a rocker – a hungry baby, a tired baby, a sick baby – all are better in a rocker.
Don’t waste money on: anything that is supposed to stay in their hair or on their feet. All those little foo foo hair things for girl babies are good for the picture and that’s about it! Headbands, hair clips, bows – you name it, the baby pulls it out along with their hair! Feet – socks don’t stay on and cause ‘ring around the ankle’ – maybe that’s what causes “CANKLES!” Shoes are cute but NEVER stay on either. If it is cold enough that socks are needed, save yourself the frustration and put the baby in a full body suit onesie. If it is warm enough for bare feet then leave them bare.
I would say that I could not raise a baby without an excersaucer. It gives the baby a way to learn about her/his surroundings and it is a slight relief to not be completely attached 100% of the time too. What could I live without? All the crazy prices that is associated with maternity or baby stuff. But seriously, I could do without the boppy pillow. For me, the boppy pillow was completely impractical.
i don’t need the hat. it won’t fit steve’s head even though he is bald right now. i just want to say the newborn photos are SICK… in a good awesome perfect way. gorgeous.
I totally agree with everyone’s comments. With babies it’s hard to sort out what you really need and what’s a waste of time and money. This was a good idea so you guys could hear from other parents what works for them. For us the thing that we NEVER used was a changing table. After having the baby the last thing I wanted to do was stand next to a table to change the baby. You’ll find that changing time seems to happen whereever your at. Sitting on the bed or couch changing a diaper was just much easier. Your body will want to relax as it is, and you’ll be changing diapers all the time. Why not do it in a place where you’ll be comfortable?
As for something we couldn’t live without… pampers swaddlers. These were the only diapers that poop didn’t leak out of! They cost a little more, but were so worth it. My husband said they even smelled better. I thought he was crazy, but we tried Huggies once and he’s right. Pampers seem to cover the smell the best, and with twice the poop you’ll need all the help you can get. haha
Also, did I mention that I’m a mom of 2 with number 3 on the way?
So I noticed someone else already mentioned the miracle blanket…it’s true, it is amazing…and we have video to prove it. (Check your email John) The biggest waste of money, and space is all the “nursery furniture”. You don’t need a $600 crib that turns into a twin bed with a ugly headboard when by the time you could use it as an ‘adult’ bed you have another baby and need the crib again…(or just cosleep and save a whole step, then teach them how to climb so they can get in and out of their own bed safely before they are a year old) and the changing table is useless, when you can just use a functional dresser and put a changing pad on top of it. Voila, just saved you $1000. Did you know I’m having a baby girl in 3 weeks…she’s going to need a good hat…
When my son was born we bought a Miracle Blanket and that was the greatest thing ever. He was wrapped in that blanket until he outgrew it. It stayed put better than wrapping with a regular blanket and it was wonderful!!!
Something not to waste money on would be, in my opinion, are baby shoes. They are very cute, but most of the time you are looking at the bottoms of them, they outgrow them very quickly and quite frankly I don’t think babies like shoes. LOL
I would really like that hat, John! Hehehe!!!
I always new Nicole was special… I didn’t need to see the adorable, perfectly crafted hat to know it, but now that I have seen it… I must have it! Nikki, I am really proud of you!!! And so excited to see your Persnickity’s Knits shop doing so well!!!
As for something I couldn’t live without for my babies… A special blanky with their name embroidered on it. My daughter was heart broken when she lost hers on vacation at the age of 4. My son is instantly calmed when he holds his, as my daughter was at his age.
As for something that was completely useless… Honestly, a lot of things were. I have to agree about the diaper genie, what a joke! But for the sake of being different, I am going to have to say the bottle sterilizer. Unless your baby has special needs, this item is unnecessary. It takes up time and counter space. As soon as my Pediatrician said you don’t need to use that, it was in the garbage and life was much simpler!
Being a twins mommy myself, there are several things I would eagerly recommend to simplify that first year. But, without a doubt, the single most significant thing I couldn’t have raised my twin babies without (and kept my sanity) was: a ROUTINE! Having a routine wasn’t even on my radar before they were born, but they were in NICU for 10 days and came home on a routine. Having a routine GREATLY simplified their first year and beyond. I always knew when naptime was & could easily plan my day & errands/trips. I knew what time they would be hungry and there was no guesswork with naps, bottles, etc. They were always (and still are at 5 1/2) great sleepers & always went down for nap & bedtime without a fuss. As for what I could live without: the horrible baby bathtubs with the sloped back–little tiny babies slip, slide over to the side–you have to try to support the baby with one hand and do all the washing with the other and the baby is not comfortable. I quickly got rid of that bathtub and bought one similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-P8262-Aquarium-Bathtub/dp/B002C499CW/ref=sr_1_2?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285367209&sr=8-2. Baby is safe & comfy (& warm!) & bath time is enjoyable!
Best wishes with your little twins! They are the best thing EVER! :- )
Could not raise a baby without:
Aveeno baby wash…this is the ONLY wash I buy…it makes their skin smell sooooooo sweet and kissable!!
Don’t Bother On:
Pricey bouncers…neither of my children spent more than an hour in one….
Could not raise a baby without:
Exergen Scanner Temporal Thermometer–Perfect for the new hypochondriac mother. I’m fairly certain that taking a rectal temperature these days is considered a form of child abuse and warrants a home visit from CPS. So rectal is out, that leaves under the tongue and in the armpit…I have never seen an infant/toddler not scream or gag for an accurate under the tongue temperature and in the armpit seriously takes 5 minutes if your kid is still and has the rule add one degree to the reading and well that kind of math is just too complicated when you’re freaking out that your kid may have a fever. So I offer you the BEST solution, your very own “easy button” for taking temperatures…the temporal scanner thermometer! Just push the button and rub it across their head and BEEP it spits out a number DONE in less than 5 seconds. So easy you can do it half asleep and not wake up a sleeping baby while doing it.
Don’t Bother:
Diaper Genie, Diaper Champ–or anything else that promises you can put poop in it and it won’t smell like poop. Fact is poop stinks and unless you flush it off to the magic place there is no getting rid of the smell. Never trust any product that promises you can put poop in it and it won’t stink…they all stink. And when people say that breastfed babies poop does not stink you call them a liar. It may not stink as bad as a formula baby, but it still stinks!
So happy for you guys! Enjoy every minute because it goes by all too quickly. And John pick me, pick me…I used the words rectal and poop which should give me bonus points.
I heart your blog! Thank you for sharing!!!
Couldn’t have raised my baby without the love and knowledge passed down from family and friends and the one thing I wouldn’t waste a dime on would be a pacifier!
i just adore you. i really really do.