DIY Ideas for a Newborn Photo Shoot at Home

While I'm off enjoying a little beach vacation, today's post is from guest author Meghan Roces. She shares some great ideas for newborn photos that you can do at home. Check them out!

There is something so beautiful and special about capturing a new life—much more when it is done in your own home. While some are willing to spend a lot on a newborn photography session with professional photographers like Ralph Wunsch, there are things you can do to still get that great snap of your new bundle of joy without having to spend a hundred bucks on it. Here are 4 DIY photo shoot ideas that you can adapt and customize for your newborn photography session:

DIY Photo Shoot Setup #1: Swaddled Baby

Most newborns love to be swaddled, as it gives them a sense comfort and security. Since this setup makes a simple photo, it also allows the baby, rather than the props or the pose, to be the highlight of the photo. You may wrap your baby “snug as a bug” in any of the following:

Stretch Wraps

This is a great prop to include in your newborn photos because of its versatility.

Textured Blankets

With a simple setup—some cushions off your couch, chairs from your kitchen, and a couple of pillows, you can cover it all with a pretty textured throw. The dreamy texture makes wrinkles not an issue. Also, incorporating fun textures and patterns in your photos is a great idea.

Blanket Used with an Adult for Babies

Since it can be extremely hard to get babies calm and still when they’re awake, you could use some help from a friend – or better yet your husband. Have your baby sit on a chair then cover her with a large blanket. Afterward, prop the baby on the crook of his/her elbow making sure that he is not sinking into his elbow. Then, wrap a part of the blanket around the baby making it look like the baby is swaddled. This way, the adult holding the baby can hold the baby’s arms and legs tight to keep the baby calm and still without being visible in the photo. When choosing a blanket, choose something, large, soft, and stretchy so that you may position it however you’d like.

Source: Laura Mares Photography

DIY Photo Shoot Setup #2: All White Props

Again, the key is to keep it simple. What better way to do than by keeping your colors minimal–hence white, as this hue gives off that clean, heavenly look. Remember, the baby is the art and not the props. So, put the baby on a simple background, along with the simplest of accessories and even the most basic colors.

Source: Julie Newell Photography

DIY Photo Shoot Setup #3: Newspapers and Calendars

Incorporating calendars and newspaper clippings from the day the baby was born makes a unique photo!

Source: Katie Wells Photography

DIY Photo Shoot Setup #4: Baskets and Crates

Baskets and crates are great props because of their versatility, as they come in various shapes and materials. Further, you can prop your baby in them in a number of different poses.

Source: Twig and Olive Photography

These are just a few of the DIY ideas you can do for your baby’s photo shoot at home. Give it a try and who knows? You just might find your new hobby or perhaps a new career!

Thanks so much for sharing, Meghan! 

Currently,

Kelsie 

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First: A Letter to Eli

Dear Eli,

It's been three months since you joined this world. As you snooze peacefully on my chest, I simply can't imagine life without you and your sweet smiles. You fill holes within me that I never knew I had. I couldn't fall asleep last night as my mind raced through memories of our first three months together: you figuring out the world and me figuring out this whole mom thing. And what a joy it has been. You are the sweetest, happiest baby, and Daddy and I are so very blessed to have you. And so, my son, my firstborn, this letter is for you. It's for you to get a little glimpse of these days full of firsts that you won't remember, but I hope never to forget.

The first time I laid eyes on you. I loved you before I even met you, but when they told me to open my eyes to see you, I couldn't help but cry happy tears. Your little scrunched up face, your first cries, they just melted my heart instantly. Daddy yelled out, "It's a boy!", and then they laid you on my chest. You stared up at me with your beautiful blue eyes, peed on your towel, and captured my whole heart within seconds. I talked to you about working on cars with Daddy some day, and doing Boy Scouts or playing sports. I just knew we were going to be buddies, and we are.

Your first night in the hospital. I remember waking up the first night that I could no longer feel you inside of me. To be honest, I kind of missed those pesky kicks you were always giving me. I glanced over to the bedside and gazed in awe at your sweet little self snoozing in your bassinet. I couldn't quite believe you were mine. I couldn't believe we got to keep you. I couldn't believe you were here. Life would never be the same.

Bringing you home from the hospital. Shockingly, you didn't cry at all when we dressed you and put you in your car seat. You looked so tiny in your little "Mommy's Allstar" outfit, so innocent and so completely dependent upon us. You fell asleep within seconds. We even drove through the car wash on the way home, and you still didn't stir. We thought we had it made, that this was going to be so easy, that you were going to sleep like a champ all night. Boy were we wrong!

Your first night home. To be, honest, your daddy and I wondered what we had done. You refused to sleep until 5 am the next morning, and I felt so helpless and like a failure of a mom. I looked at the picture of me and Daddy in your room and told him, "They didn't have to worry about anything." I wasn't sure I was cut out for this new change and the challenges that came with it. And though it was hard and I felt like a complete zombie for a few days, feeding you around the clock, it was so so worth it. And then, little by little, you stretched your sleep. Each night we went another hour, and then another without having to wake up, until you were sleeping through the night at six weeks.

Your first smile. You've always been a cutie, and a pretty easy-going baby, but the first time that you looked up at me with those big blue eyes and gave me a big ole smile just melted my heart. We were actually at the doctor's office and I'd just fed you, and you seemed pretty happy about it. From there, your smiles have just gotten better and better. Your whole face lights up when you smile, sweet boy, and I love watching the joy that you have at the smallest things in life: me singing to you, playing with a toy, or even just seeing my face in the morning when I get you out of your crib. Don't ever lose that smile or zest for life.

Your first fever. This was not a fun first for Mommy. You got your two month shots and were pretty much a champ about it, but your poor legs swelled up later on and you got really fussy. I could tell you felt terrible and you didn't know why. It was so hard to see you in pain. Your fever got up to 101, but Dr. Rogers said it was okay to just do Tylenol unless you got up to 103. I felt so bad for you, but you felt better the next day and I was so thankful to see you back to your happy little self.

There have been lots of other firsts: first babysitter, first visit to church, first bath, and more. The list goes on and on, and I record these precious moments and memories in pictures and in your little monthly calendar. Nearly everything you do is a first because there is so much of this world that you have yet to experience and enjoy. But there are hard firsts that will come too, my sweet little man. First rejections, first timeouts, first heartbreaks and more. This world is broken and we are all far from perfect. And while I'm striving to enjoy each second and am in no rush to wish it all away, you know one first that will be pretty awesome? The first time you truly understand how much Jesus loves you. The first time you choose to follow Him on your own, not because Mommy and Daddy do. The first time you say yes to Him and no to the ways of the world. Because this world we brought you into is hard and confusing, yet full of joy because of the Lord and His great love for you.

And so, my little Eli, I hope that you always put Him first. I hope that you live big and bold and love others with all that you have. I am blessed to be along for all of your "firsts", and I'll cherish them all, even the hard ones. We love you so much, no matter what, and always will.

Love,
Mommy

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May Recap

May has been the month of sunshine, the end of school, and sweet baby smiles from our precious Eli. I've been cherishing the end of my time off and the start of summer (good planning, huh?). Even though I haven't found as much time to write, I've given myself grace and tried to blog about once a week. I love writing and have missed this outlet, but I just won't choose it over snuggling with Eli and being present as a mom. I've definitely developed a good mom groove, and this month has been my favorite! Here's what we've been up to!

Eli's Three Month Update

Eli turned three months old on May 23, and I honestly can't believe it. I know I've said it before, but he is such a joy and is seriously one of the happiest babies I know. It is so fun watching him discover the world around him and his personality continues to develop with each and every day. This month he is super into playing with toys on the activity mat: he just stares and stares at them above his head for hours. He still loves reading books, taking baths, and listening to Mommy sing, and he's just started to give us a giggle every now and then. We've gone on lots of adventures to grad parties, graduations, pool parties, and patio hang outs.

Numbers wise, he is weighing in at just around 13 pounds, and somewhere around 24 inches long. (No doctor's appointment this month, so my numbers aren't as solid.) He is growing and eating well, and is still sleeping through the night like a champ. We have just started swaddling for naps and being more intentional about nap routines. Although he will be upset for a few minutes, he generally falls asleep very quickly and this mama gets a little break to sit out on the deck with a video monitor for an hour or so, or even get a few things done around the house. Eli is eating about every three hours, so he eats six times and is generally going to bed sometime between 8:30 and 9:30. We are so grateful to have regular sleep, and even though he wakes up around 6:00 or 6:30 every day, it has been nice getting up and getting things done rather than sleeping away the summer mornings like I used to do. Our whole world has changed with Eli, but these past three months have honestly been my favorite. I am so grateful to have family close so that we can have date nights and little breaks that help me come back to Eli ready to be a better mom. I'm excited to write a little more about my general thoughts on motherhood soon.

End of Maternity Leave

My maternity leave officially ended on May 22nd. Although Eli came 10 days early and I technically went unpaid for just a couple of days, I decided that going back for the last day of school would be worth it. Who wants to get docked for a half day consisting of an assembly, yearbook signing, and general happiness that the school year is over? My mom watched Eli for us, and I got to have a little time away to say goodbye to my students and hello to summer with all of my teacher friends. Driving to work was strange; it almost felt as if none of this had ever even happened and it was all a dream. I'm a little nervous about going back to work in the fall, and all that comes along with being a working mom, but I honestly think that I will be ready for when the time comes, and that it will help me have a bit of my identity outside of being Mom.

This little man is the best gift I could ever ask for on Mother's Day: simply being a mom. It's like I found a part of me I never knew was missing, and I can barely remember what life was like before the spit up, smiles, and snuggles (even though it's only been a few months). Eli is so blessed to have two amazing grandmas and a wonderful great-grandma to love on him (swipe for pic), and I'm so grateful for such wonderful examples of sacrificial motherhood done right. Enjoy your day, mamas! We have the best job in the world. 💕👶🏽#BabyKisHere #EliRobert

A post shared by Kelsie Kleinmeyer (@currentlykelsie) on May 14, 2017 at 3:15pm PDT

My First Mother's Day

Speaking of motherhood, my first Mother's Day was the best day! We went to church, and then enjoyed having both sides of our family over for lunch. Eli looked so stinkin' cute in his matching romper and hat, and we grabbed some pictures which made this mama's heart so happy. I felt so celebrated and loved with thoughtful cards and gifts, but the best part was honestly just getting to celebrate the joy of being a mom this year. It's better than anything I could've ever expected.

Summer Reading

I recently posted on Facebook asking for book recommendations, and boy did y'all ever give me some good ones! I went and put them on hold at the library, and of course I ended up getting about 10 of them at the same time. Aaron saw my stack and asked how I was going to get them all read in a month's time, but I honestly don't think it will be a problem. I tend to read sometimes while I'm feeding Eli or pumping, and just a little bit at night when I get some adult time to myself. I have already finished off The Royal We and Room, which were both very good. I'm currently reading The Wonder by Emma Donoghue, and then I have about seven more to read by the end of June. I think I'm up for the challenge!

Summer Perks and Plans

One of the very best parts of being a teacher is that both Aaron and I have all summer off together to explore and adventure. He's taking on a bathroom remodel at his grandma's house, but Eli and I have had no trouble soaking up the sun at the pool, planning out some of our trips, and just enjoying the flexibility of doing whatever we want pretty much whenever we want. I've grown up in a family full of teachers, so my view of summers has always been a bit skewed. Especially as a parent now,  I am definitely so grateful to still have summers off to relax and be with my baby, as I know most jobs don't have summer breaks once you finish college. We're heading out on our first adventure soon, and while it's a lot more work than I'm used to for just Aaron and me to travel, I'm excited to take Eli along on his first vacation, first plane ride, and first visit to the ocean!

In Case You Missed Them: 

   Shower Gifts New Moms Really Want (and Need)

   The Secret to Thrifty Travel

   5 Things Your Mechanic Won't Tell You

   A Weekend in St. Louis: The Travel Guide

That's been our May, friends! I hope you're having a fabulous start to your summer!

Currently,
Kelsie

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A Weekend in St. Louis: The Travel Guide

If you're looking for the perfect little Midwest getaway, St. Louis is a fabulous choice. From baseball to museums, theaters, and more, this city has a lot to offer. Here are some places you'll definitely want to visit and some restaurants you should try during your weekend in St. Louis.

City Museum

If you've got kids, this place is incredible. It's so much fun to crawl around and explore all of the different areas of the museum. Be sure to hit the outdoor climbing area, and bring a pair of knee pads if you want to save your knees!

Magic House

Another kid friendly highlight, this magical house offers tons of fun and educational, hands-on experiences for your kids. If your kids are toddlers up to age twelve, you'll pay $11 each and they'll have a blast. Check out The Magic House website for more info.

Forest Park and the Zoo

One more kid friendly option is visiting the St. Louis Zoo, located in beautiful Forest Park. The zoo offers free admission, with optional activities for additional costs. For hours, check out the zoo's website. The park also boasts an art museum, planetarium, and more, so it's also a great option for adults without kids, too. You can find lots of great hotel deals downtown and in the Forest Park area. 

Busch Stadium 

If you're big baseball fans, or if you just enjoy sports history, you'll definitely want to visit Busch Stadium. If the Cardinals are in town, you can go to a game, or you can tour the stadium on days when they aren't. The downtown setting is a lot of fun and offers a gorgeous backdrop for a ball game. 

The Arch

St. Louis's claims to fame is the Arch. Because St. Louis was dubbed the Gateway to the West, the Gateway Arch was constructed in the 1960s and has been greeting guests ever since. If you'd like to go up in the arch, you can purchase tickets online and save time in line. The ride offers a great view of the city and state line. 

Fox Theatre or The Muny

If you're into theater and music, you'll want to plan a visit to either the Fox Theatre or the outdoor Muny. The Muny is actually America's oldest and largest outdoor theater, and it's great for a visit on a cool summer evening.

Anheuser Busch Brewery

Home of Budweiser, this brewery offers free complimentary tours, as well as Beer Museum Tours or the Day Fresh Tour for an additional fee. You can learn all about the famous Clydesdales, and guests 21 and over can sample the beer. Tours can include kids of all ages.

The Loop

The Delamar Loop is an incredible street home to lots of shopping, multi-national dining, and special events. If you're not feeling so adventurous, there are also several chain restaurants. This area is sure to please!

The Hill

If you're in the mood for Italian food, you've got to check out the Hill. This area offers authentic and delicious options that you can't find at a chain Italian restaurant. Be sure to check out one of my favorites, Anthonino's Taverna. You won't leave disappointed. Or, if you're more of a BBQ person, check out one of the many awesome BBQ spots in St. Louis.

All in all, St. Louis is a fabulous destination for your next weekend getaway. It's an easy drive from many neighboring states, and its attractions are sure to please visitors of all kinds!

Currently,
Kelsie

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4 Steps for a Healthier Kid Friendly Home

This post is brought to you by Riley Heating and Air Conditioning. All opinions are my own.

Ever since we brought home baby Eli, I've thought a lot differently about the safety of our home and its not-so-kid-friendly elements. Even though he isn't crawling or walking yet, I know that the days are quickly approaching when our little man will be on the move. Like any parent, I do hope to make our home a safe place for Eli and his parents. That's why I'm taking a few minutes to share four steps for a healthier, kid friendly home.

First of all,  if you haven't already, you can make some easy swaps to keep dangerous BPA out of your house. Be sure to check canned goods, plastic containers, and even teething rings. Once you've done that, take a look at your cleaning products, as well as how securely you store them. They can contain lots of toxic, harmful chemicals. Consider making your own cleaning products instead, and save some money while you're at it! 

Next, be sure to check the quality of your air. Schedule annual HVAC maintenance, change your filter every one to three months, and be careful when choosing air fresheners. Lastly, consider swapping out your soaps for something fragrance-free and allergy-friendly. Try to avoid anti-bacterials, which can actually do more harm than good. I'll be sure to make these changes in my home this summer, and you should too. 

Check out the infographic below for an easy, pinnable reminder to keep your home kid-friendly! Our kiddos are so worth it.

Currently,

Kelsie

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5 Things Your Mechanic Won't Tell You

If you're anything like me, every time you visit a mechanic you feel totally confused and taken advantage of. I spent time rehearsing the line "I'll have my dad take a look; I don't want anything extra right now." over and over as I would pull into the shop. And yet, I still walked away feeling pressured, uncomfortable, and clueless, especially as a woman. Now that I'm married to the best guy in the world, I don't have to worry about this. He not only takes care of the cars, he works on them on the side as a certified mechanic. He's shared his insight with me for this post, and is helping me shed the light on five things your mechanic won't tell you.

1. How Much the Part Actually Cost Them 

It's plain and simple: you will always pay more for the part than what the shop bought it for. The percentage can range anywhere from a 20% mark up to a 70% mark up. This is the main reason why most shops won’t let you bring your own parts. And if they do, they will often charge you a higher labor rate. It is roughly 35% of earnings for the shop as a whole. That’s a lot. 

2. How Long It Actually Took to Fix the Problem

When a job is quoted, the quote is for a fixed rate of time that has been predetermined by labor guides. If the labor guide says it should take two hours to change the alternator on your vehicle then you will be charged for two hours of labor, whether it took them one hour or three. Some mechanics work a forty hour work week but get paid for 100 hours of labor. Some mechanics work forty hours and only get paid for twenty hours of labor. The system is there to protect you from mechanics charging you whatever they want. It also rewards good mechanics who can work faster than the average mechanic.

3. How Simple the Job Really Is

There are jobs mechanics don’t want you to know that you can do yourself. These kind of jobs might include changing out air filters, light bulbs, batteries, some belts, and brakes. While this isn’t true in all cases, you might be surprised what you can walk through on your own with a simple tool set and the internet. You might pay the shop $100 in labor for something that takes them 20 minutes to do, or it might take you an hour to do yourself if you just take the time to search and learn. Aaron will never understand paying $20 to install a lightbulb that takes less than three minutes to install. Do your research, people!

4. The Fine Print

When you drop off your car in most shops, they have you sign a document. Do you ever read what you are signing? You might not let your car stay if you actually read the fine print. Aaron has seen these documents cover wide ranges of things. A few years ago, he read the small print in a shop that isn’t in business anymore. He came across one line that read, “We are not responsible for any damages that occur to your vehicle while on our premises.” Yikes! Understand what you are signing, and ask if you have questions.

5. The Warranty Your Part Actually Has

Quite a few parts that are purchased include a lifetime warranty. However, the mechanic doesn’t want you to know this because they make money on parts. For instance, you can go buy the same exact alternator the mechanic will install in your car and it comes with a lifetime warranty. But the shop will give you a three month warranty in hopes that if it breaks in five years you will simply buy the part again. Aaron has changed the alternator on his father’s F150 about three times, after only paying for the alternator once. It also has about 400 thousand miles on it. You should know that most sets of brake pads have lifetime warranties as well.

There you have it folks, five things your mechanic won’t tell you that you should probably know. You can really save yourself some money and some headaches if you're aware of these things. Have any more mechanic questions? Let me know and I'll pass them on to Aaron and get them answered! (And if you're in the KC area, he can even work on your car!) We don't have to be taken advantage of, y'all, so let's stop.

Currently,
Kelsie

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The Secret to Thrifty Travel

If you are anything like Aaron and me, you may love to travel but may not be willing to spend a ton of money to do it. Everyone loves to go on adventures around the world, but we often question if they're worth the drop in savings. This can be especially worrisome if you're going on a longer trip to a destination where you need affordable travel protection options, like those from Medjet Horizon. Fortunately, there are ways to travel, even if you don’t have much in the bank account. Check out our secrets to thrifty travel.

Hotel Points

If you’re in a good place with your credit, travel credit card bonuses offer an excellent way to travel cheaply. When you sign up for most of these credit cards, you’ll receive points that you can redeem for free nights. Sometimes you’ll earn free nights just by getting the card and spending any amount of money on it, including buying a pack of gum. In some cases, you'll receive more free nights as a cardholder anniversary gift. For more on staying in hotels for free on points, check out these posts.

Best Rate Guarantees

If you’re not looking to open a credit card, you still have other good options to help you travel for free or nearly free. Best Rate Guarantees are some of our other favorite ways to save on hotel stays. They work by rewarding you when you find hotels at a cheaper rate on one website over another. You report this lower rate to the original booking company, which matches the cheaper rate and gives you money towards paying that rate. We used this a lot in Europe and ended up staying in some pretty decent hotels for $50 or less!

Other Hotel Secrets

Secret hotel rates are also a good option for those who may be willing to take a bit of a risk. They show you an area of a city where the hotel is located, but you can't see the exact hotel where you would be staying. If you’re willing to take the gamble, you can get a heavily discounted rate.

One of my other new favorites for cheap travel is Roomer. This website lets people list the hotel rooms that they had once reserved but no longer need. You can book your hotel through this site, just like you would using any other website. We used this when we stayed in Orlando and it made our stay SO reasonable.

Flight Points

With hotels covered, you’ll also want to consider how to get where you're going. We love flying, especially with our Southwest Companion Pass. If you plan to fly, there are other travel cards that operate much the same as the hotel cards. You earn points by opening and spending, and then you redeem the points for travel. All of the major airlines have rewards program options like this. We also earn anniversary points on our travel cards, and we earn all of our points simply by paying our bills! For more on how to fly free, check out this post.

Other Flight Secrets 

If you don't have points for your flights, there are other ways to save money. Consider traveling during the off-season for your destination. This can save you a considerable amount of money, especially if you are planning to travel overseas. If you have a flexible travel schedule, you can also search for the cheapest days of the month to fly from place to place, and then you can book the cheapest flight options they offer.

All in all, travel doesn't have to be expensive. Using these tips, we have gone to dozens of places and saved thousands of dollars on amazing trips around the world. I truly believe that travel is one of the best investments we can make, and I treasure the memories that we have made on all of our adventures. I hope they are helpful for you, too!

Currently,
Kelsie

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Shower Gifts New Moms Really Want (and Need)

Now that I've been a mama for a little over two months, I have definitely developed a routine. It's been interesting to see what items from my baby showers are being used on a daily basis, and what items I really wish I'd gone without. I know that as a baby shower attendee BEFORE having my own little one, I didn't really know what to get for my friends. But now that I'm a mom, I can speak to things that us new moms really want and need. Whether you aren't sure what new products are on the market today, you've never been a mom and are clueless when it comes to shower gifts, or you're a new mom looking for the best items to register for, this post is for you!

Swaddles and Sleep Items

From the first night you bring a newborn home, getting them to sleep at night is one of your biggest priorities. New moms will need a good supply of swaddle items to help their little one sleep without waking up in the middle of the night. I'm a huge fan of Halo Sleepsack Swaddles, and we also have some Sleepsacks for when our little man starts rolling over and doesn't need to be swaddled anymore. The Swaddle Me velcro wraps from Target are great too, and you can never have too many when baby spits up or has a blow out in the middle of the night! Other great sleep items to purchase are sound machines, footy pajamas with an inverted zipper (great for midnight diaper changes), and a night light or lamp.

Diapers and Wipes

I know it sounds super lame, but us moms go through SO many diapers and wipes over the course of a baby's life. Having a stash built up before the baby is born is so nice and even helps to avoid stress for a new mom. We put a ton of them on our registry and I'm grateful that we really haven't had to buy anything other than a few newborn diapers (because our baby Eli was smaller at birth than many babies are). Buy diapers in a variety of sizes- not just size one - so that your new mom friend has a stash for a long time. Also, most places with registries will let people return gifts for up to a year, so if the baby moves out of one size of diapers, the parents can exchange or return and get another size with no trouble! Other great related purchases would be a changing pad and some changing pad liners that can easily be washed and switched out.

Burp Cloths and Bibs

Even though babies are small, they generate a heck of a lot of laundry! We've found that you can never have too many burp cloths, as you'll want some to cover places where the baby is laying, some to burp them with, some to cover them (if they're a boy) during diaper changes, and some to use while breast or bottle feeding. Just think of how many burp cloths new moms will go through in a day, especially if their baby is a spitter or has reflux! Bibs are also a great purchase. Even though the baby won't eat solid foods for a while, bibs are a great way to avoid getting spit up and drool all over cute outfits and car seat straps. I especially love bandana bibs!

Postpartum Care Items

While they may not be much fun to purchase, new moms will be oh so grateful for any postpartum items that you buy them. Although they'll get a few leftovers from their hospital stay, gifting items like Always pads with wings, nursing pads, lanolin cream, Dermoplast, witch hazel "Tucks" pads, and Colace will have new moms thanking you in the first few weeks after birth! If moms are planning to nurse and or pump, they will also appreciate cute nursing friendly tops or dresses and milk storage bags. If you're uncomfortable with these types of purchases, see my next suggestion!

Gift Cards

Again, I know this sounds lame, but having gift cards is every new mom's dream! Gift cards are perfect for those Target runs when moms realize what they actually need but don't want to have to spend money on with all of the hospital bills coming. We keep ours in a Ziploc bag, and pulling them out to take along on a shopping trip has me thanking those gift givers all over again, months and months later!

Group Gifted "Bigger" Items

If you're able to go in on a bigger gift with friends or family members, your new mom friend will be oh so grateful to you! Some of the last things to be purchased on our registry were the bigger ticket items like our Tula carrier, travel system, high chair, and convertible car seat for later on. Having friends and family go in on purchasing these items really saved us from spending a lot before the baby was born, and we also got some items for when he is a little older. Also, we totally love and recommend our travel system (which is a Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect). Having the car seat, stroller, and base that all come together and click together is amazing, and helps with transferring our little man without waking him. New parents MUST have a car seat and base before they can leave the hospital with their new little love, so this gift will be used right away.

While I could go on and on about other specific items that we've loved like our Boppy Newborn Lounger and our Motorola video monitor, every new mom's preferences are different. Definitely purchase items off of the registry if you can, as it makes it easier for the new mom to make returns or exchanges as needed. Plus they likely registered for what they really want. That being said, these gift ideas listed above are sure to be put to good use by any new mom, no matter their style! What shower gifts were your favorites and most-used, mamas?

Currently,
Kelsie

Click here if you'd like to read other Motherhood Posts like 10 Tips for Surviving the First 6 Weeks with a Baby! Be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for other posts! 

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