Aubrey's 8 & 9 Month Favorites

Fisher Price Stride-to-Ride Lion
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Walker
We introduced these toys to Aubrey at the beginning of her 9th month when she started showing an interest in standing and holding onto things. She mostly sits on the lion and car and tries to scoot right now but she absolutely love both of them. Both are musical.

She loves touching the lion's nose to make the music turn on. The seat on the lion flips up so she can hold on a walk behind it but at this stage of the game she is more interested on going for a ride. We will help her hold onto the handle while standing but she pushes forward and gets a little hesitant and reaches out for us to help her so this is toy that she will grow into in the next month or so.  

The car is awesome! It also plays music- it has two modes: learning mode and play mode. It plays "the wheels on the car," sings the alphabet, teaches numbers, and plays music. There are different noises when you turn the steering wheel, use the blinker, beep the horn, turn the key, etc. and there is a shape sorter in the hood! The seat separates so she can stand behind it and use it as a walker as well but for right now she is mainly using it to sit on and scoot. She has a little more stability on this car as opposed to the lion but she loves both. If you were to pick just one, I'd go with the car because it has all of the bells and whistles. 

1. Hello Kitty McDonald's toy- This is seriously her favorite toy. Go figure, a free toy is her favorite. Also among her favorites- good ol' brown moving boxes! Who said you need to spend a fortune on toys?
2. Owl Washcloth/Sponge from Target (similar)- We aren't using this as a washcloth but as a teething aide. It is one of the most helpful things for her sore gums believe it or not. I keep it in the freezer and she sucks on it while she waits for the tylenol to kick in. It seems to be the only thing (along with the grape teether) that gives her relief from the painful teeth that are breaking through.
3. Infantino Cart and High Chair Cover- This is the best cart cover! I had another one by this brand that totally didn't work for us because it didn't cover the sides well enough. The sides on this cover have velcro so they stay in place perfectly and this is SO important because my child will put her mouth on anything these days and the last place I want her mouth is on a dirty cart. Unlike many other covers, this one comes with it's own child strap that wraps around the cart for a secure hold. In other words, this is your safest best if you are looking for the best possible way to keep your baby germ free while out shopping or dining. Another plus- there are several fabric loops to attach toys to so they don't fall out. This is a total must-have if you're a germaphobe like me.

Aubrey's 5 & 6 Month Favorites

• #1 Bright Stars Lots of Links- She loves playing with these and chewing on them. We keep a set attached to her car seat and it keeps her busy while we're in the car. 

• #2 Munchkin Fresh Food Feeders- This is the best invention. ever. So far she has only had strawberries in her fresh food feeder but the possibilities are really endless. Aubrey sucks out all of the juice and has a blast and a half doing so.

• #3 Infantino Vibrating Grape Teether- We went through a teething phase and this thing was so comforting for her. It vibrates when they bite down on it. She bit down on it so hard and I really think it helped relieve some of her discomfort. 

• #4 Foscam IP Camera with Night Vision- In addition to a regular baby monitor we use this camera to check in on her. The coolest thing about this is that you can actually pan around the entire room using your computer, phone, iPad, whatever. I can check in on her from anywhere. The picture is so crystal clear and it even has night vision for when she's sleeping.

• #5 Playskool Panda Glofriend- I don't know if every baby is obsessed with lights or what but Aubrey loves anything that lights up. This little stuffed animal lights up and plays music- two things that she loves in a toy, plus as an added bonus- it's her little snuggle buddy. 

• #6 Sophie the Giraffe- Aubrey wasn't a fan at first but once she started teething she quickly became best friends with Sophie. This is easy to hold and perfect for chewing. Aubrey likes to hold her legs and chew on her antlers and ears, other times she flips her over and chews on her legs. Pretty much whatever is easier to get into her mouth at the moment is what she goes for. 

Aubrey's Favorites

1. Graco Snugride Elite Stroller Frame with Graco Snugride 35 Car Seat

I love this set up because the car seat clicks right into the stroller frame so we can easily transport her. She always falls asleep in the car so this allows us to easily (and usually seamlessly) transport her from the car to the stroller or the car to the house without disturbing her sleep. Often times we'll let her sleep right in her seat once we carry her in the house. We have two car seat bases for each of our vehicles and one seat that easily clicks into the base. 

2. Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Jumparoo

She just started using this new toy a couple of weeks ago and she loves it! She jumps and bounces and plays with all of the toys surrounding her. I love the silly music is plays when she bounces too. This little activity center keeps her entertained for quite a while which is such a help for me when I need to get some work done.

3. Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle 'N Swing

This swing is a lifesaver. She gets some of her best naps in this swing. There are adjustable speed settings, a rotating mobile, and several different tunes to lull her to relaxation.

4. Mustela Physiobebe

This no-rinse cleaning fluid is gentle and so easy to use anywhere because no water is needed. I use it on her hands all the time because she is constantly putting them in her mouth.

5. Fisher Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper 

She's just starting to grow out of this but we used this from day 1, well day 1 that she was home anyway. She slept in this while she was in our room and it folds up so we would bring it with us when we were visiting family. She really loved the feeling of being snuggled when she slept and the curvature of this bassinet gave her that cozy feeling. We swaddled her but she wasn't happy being swaddled in her crib until just recently. I think she really likes having her room to spread out now that she is getting bigger. 

6. Fisher Price My Little Lamb Bouncer

This is the only way that I can get a shower. I bring this right into the bathroom with me and she is perfectly content sitting in it while it vibrates and plays music. She hung out in this a lot during her first and second month but now that she is becoming more active she just relaxes in it here and there. Also, now that she's getting older I can sometimes put her down for a nap in her crib, bring the monitor in the bathroom and grab a quick shower.

7. Munchkin Fun Ice Ring Teether

I really think we are getting close to entering the teething stage because she is drooling like crazy and she'll chew on just about anything she can get her hands on these days. We pop this in the freezer and give this to her on hot days. It's easy for her to hold and she loves it.

8. Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair

We just started putting her in the high chair a few weeks ago and she is really liking the idea of being a part of dinner time with us. It straps right onto the chair and has adjustable seat positions which is great. Right now she is reclined a bit. She hangs out at the table with us and plays with all of her toys while we eat dinner. 

9. Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Seahorse Dumbbell Rattle

This is by far her favorite toy right now. She holds onto the seahorse with both hands while she tries to fit the entire thing in her tiny mouth- it's hilarious! She also likes to shake it and make noise. It has an easy to hold handle and the top fin and bottom tail are soft chewable teethers. 

Baby's First Easter Basket

It's been so cold and snowy here that it barely feels like Spring and with Easter coming so early this year, it's heard to believe that it's this Sunday. Easter has always been my favorite holiday since I was a kid so naturally, I'm overly excited for Aubrey's first Easter. She's only 8 weeks old and I know she probably won't remember this Easter but whatever, she still needs and Easter basket full of fun stuff. Making an Easter basket for a baby is not an easy thing because you have to be really creative. I spent hours in the stores yesterday searching for ideas and I finally came up with a basket full of cuteness. Hopefully, this will be of some help to some of the moms out there who are looking for ideas...

Huggies Travel Wipes
Boogie Wipes

Fisher Price Baby's First Purse
She had to have this! My family called me "the bag lady" because every time we went to a department store I would pick out handbags and load them up on my arms. I guess you could say I had an obsession with purses when I was little and apparently some things just stay with you.
First Pearl Bracelet
Another must have! It's just a piece of costume jewelry and it probably won't fit her for a while but if anyone knows me they know I love pearls (another thing that started in my childhood and stayed with me). I've been looking for a tiny pearl bracelet in fine jewelry stores but they're not so easy to find in small sizes so this will have to suffice for the time being.
Shabby Chic Wall HookI found this at Michael's and I thought it was adorable; I think the glittered edges sold me. This will be great for hanging an outfit or dress on.

Munchkin Ring Teether
Munchkin Safety Spoons
They actually turn color when the food is too hot- such a great idea!

Penn State Cheerleader Uniform
I searched high and low for a cheerleader outfit and it wasn't easy finding the pink version but I tracked one down! This is just the first of her many Penn State outfits.

...And then there's what I wish was in her Easter basket.

Neon Cap Toe Ballet Flats
I found these adorable cap toes at Target but they didn't have her size! They would match her Easter dress perfectly too. I'm going to check another Target in hopes of finding her size so wish me luck! I wish they came in my size too!