What items you will {and won't} need for your new baby.

All new moms wonder the same thing: "What do I need to buy for my new baby?!"

The answer is quite simple: Whatever YOU think YOU will use. 

You will hear different things from other moms while you're preparing for your bundle of joy to arrive. There will be items one mom used, while the other never touched.

For example, when I was pregnant, I was told by several moms I would not need a changing table because I would just wind up changing my baby on whatever was closest to me: bed, floor, couch, etc. I was SO close to not purchasing a changing table but decided the extra storage would be nice. Let me tell you, we have NEVER changed a diaper anywhere BUT on the changing table. I am so glad we made that purchase! I can't imagine not having one!

Another item is the Diaper Pail {or Diaper Genie}. You will hear, "Oh, you don't need that! Just double bag those dirty diapers and put them in the trash!" Although this MAY sound easier. It's not. We received a Diaper Pail as a gift and we LOVE it. It sits right beside our changing table. Change that diaper, open the pail lid, insert diaper & shut it! Not to mention, it's super easy to empty out and holds quite a few dirty diapers!

It is like this with several baby items: wipe warmers, pack n' plays, bouncers, swings.

It is all about what YOU need. Every mom parents differently and every baby likes different things. If there's anything you wind up buying and don't use, it's not the end of the world! Just sell it! :)

There is not a manual on what YOUR baby will need. Follow your instincts, they're usually right! Never base your decisions on another moms experience.

Honestly, go ahead and register/purchase all the baby items you can. Nothing is worse than having your little babe here and thinking, "Man, I really wish I had that *insert item*" You can always return/sell an item but it's so nice to have it right there if you need it!

It is a learning process: being a new mom. So experiment and decide what works for you and your family. And enjoy every second of it ;)

You never know who you truly are until you're a mom.

You never know how scared and nervous you can be until you see two pink lines that will change your life.

You never know how amazed you can be until you see that little heart flicker for the first time on that screen in the doctors office.

You never know how excited you can be until you find out if you're having a dancing little girl or a bouncing little boy.

You never know how strong you are until you have those contractions and welcome a new life into the world.

You never know how much love you have until you have the baby you've felt for months and only imagined, laying on your chest just a few minutes old.

You never know how obsessed you can be with the smallest eyelashes and the cutest fingernails. 

You never know just how much you adore your husband until you see how much he loves your child. 

When you see that sweet little love, you never knew you could put someone before you self like this. You could give up everything, to make sure this little human has everything they need & more. To see this sweet baby smile, you'd do anything. Make the scariest faces in public just see those squinty eyes beam and that gummy smile spread across that face. 

Your whole life changes when you have a little baby. You truly never know yourself completely until your faced with being a mom. You learn more about yourself as you go. Not only are you watching this amazing baby grow -- but you're growing as well. 

It's a once in a lifetime love that makes you realize what you are capable of.

forever yours.

How long do you wanna be loved?

Is forever enough, is forever enough?

 

Homemade Enchiladas!

This is one of my favorite meals!

What you will need:

• 2 cans of mild enchilada sauce {I get 2 hot and one medium because we love spicy}
• 1 can of hot enchilada sauce
• 1 block of mild cheddar cheese 
• 1.5 pounds of ground beef
• tortilla shells
• onions - optional {I prefer onions but my husband doesn't like them so I cook it without} 

Preheat the oven to 400.

I like to go ahead and grate my cheese before starting so that it will be quicker. After you do that, you will want to go ahead and start browning the meat. If you're wanting onions, you will cook it with the meat. Once it's all good and cooked, drain the meat really well. I pour the meat into a drainer and wipe the grease from the pan with a paper towel. Once that is done, put the pan back on the burner on a medium heat, and pour in one can of mild sauce and half of the hot.

Keep that on a medium heat and stir it all together.

Next step, you'll get the dish you plan on baking it in. You will lay out a tortilla and begin adding the meat and sauce into one and rolling it up. Repeat. Do this until your dish it full.

 You will cover the top with the rest of the enchilada sauce {one can of mild and half can of hot} and top that with your shredded cheese!

Stick that in the oven. Just until the cheese is melted!

And viola! It is DELICIOUS.

Breast is best.

Breastfeeding has been one of the most challenging things as a new mom. Sounds silly, right? It is the most natural way to feed your baby, yet the most difficult. It takes a toll on you emotional and physically.

When Oliver was just a newborn, I HATED breastfeeding. But I refused formula. I have nothing against formula feeding. But for me it just was not an option. Just thinking about it, I was overwhelmed with guilt. Being able to produce what he NEEDS and being too selfish to give it to him -- I couldn't handle it. The first few weeks were the hardest. I felt like it was ALL I did, and it was. Cluster feedings when all I wanted to do was sleep. Literally HOURS at a time.

The first night we were home from the hospital, I was so exhausted and frustrated, I gave him formula {and cried while I did so}. When he projectile vomited it up and cried because it upset his tummy, I told myself NEVER again. I felt so guilty.

The moment I realized breastfeeding was worth it was at his 2 week appointment when we realized he had gained so much weight already. To know I did that: I created all the nutrients he needed to gain so much and be so healthy. NOTHING comes close to that. I did that.

I am SO happy when I hear about new moms breastfeeding. Especially when they stick through the first weeks. A lot of women think formula is the easy way out. And it is, in some ways. You don't have to worry about your child not getting enough, you don't have to worry about clogged ducts or Mastitis, no worrying about your milk supply because it's in a can in the cabinet. Breastfeeding is FREE. And it is SO good for your child. Breastfed babies don't get sick as much as formula babies. Did you know it is actually good to breastfeed your child while your sick? Because of the anti bodies in your milk, your baby builds up an immunity to the sickness. Is that not amazing? Honestly, I don't know why every mom doesn't at least TRY breastfeeding?

Once I hit the 2 month mark is probably when it became something I am used to now. Yes, it sucks getting engorged in the middle of the night and having to get up and pump to make sure your supply doesn't decrease. But it is worth it. Breastfeeding can prevent obesity as well.

I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight about 2 weeks after delivery. I blame breastfeeding!

You would think, breastfeeding is a hassle. But it's not. If you forget a bottle at home or the milk... No problem! You have some ready! I personally like to pump before going somewhere just to have a bottle ready. But if I ever forgot it and needed to feed Oliver ASAP, it is no big deal at all! I carry my breastfeeding cover in his diaper bag at all times.

Breastfeeding also makes those long nights of feeding so much easier. No getting up to make a bottle. I simply wake up, reach over into the co-sleeper and get him, feed him, lay him back down, go to sleep. I have no reason to get up unless it is to change his diaper. It's actually proven breastfeeding mommas get more sleep. {and boy, do we need our sleep!}

The benefits for your baby are endless. That isn't all thought -- you, momma, have a lower risk of breast & ovarian cancer, diabetes and heart disease!

One thing I want all new breastfeeding mommas to know is: IT GETS BETTER. I know the first weeks are miserable. At least it was for me. I wanted to quit so bad. But in the end, it is totally worth it. I am not 3.5 months in, and I have learned to appreciate it. Breastfeeding now, is my time to relax. It's calm. Sometimes Oliver will be nursing and just stare at me, I will glance at him & he will smile so big at me. It's like he knows how amazing it is. <3

I do know some people just are not able to do it. And I have loads of respect for them even trying because some moms don't even give it a chance! I advocate breastfeeding. I am no expert. I have had my issues with it. But I can't imagine it any other way!

See those chubby cheeks!? Breastfeeding :P