A semi-crunchy mama's registry list

My cousin is having her first baby GIRL and we have the same mindset about things for our bodies (food, clothing, soaps, etc)  When she started to look at registering for her new baby, none of the big box stores had eco-friendly lists for new baby.

I've put together a list of the things and brands that we loved and USED with Cohen.  We have registered for a few of these for this next baby because you learn the first time, right??

Baby Registry Ideas- Crunchy Mama version

Feeding: (Breastfeeding)

-       Medela Breast Pump; I loved that the parts were completely removable and easy to clean, plus I needed a double electric while I was working.  This time I won't be needing this very often.

-       “My breast friend” for those first few weeks while you are establishing how to nurse.  A hoppy is great for a seat for baby but it wasn't super comfortable for nursing.

-       Lansinoh Milk storage bags (the best, we’ve tried a zillion kinds) I suggest freezing your milk laying it flat so its easier to store! We have a deep freezer for this time around.

-       Bottles – anything glass (I like Dr. Browns) I only used 10 or so when I was working, you may need less than that. Breastfed babies don't work off the same ounces per month that formula ones do.  Cohen never needed more than 4 ounces during a feeding.

-       Nursing Pads, I love the bamboobies brand. I have 6 overnight and quite a few day time ones. The disposable ones were icky, itchy and wasteful.

-       Bravado nursing bras are WORTH the extra money. Go somewhere AFTER the baby is born and get fitted!

Cloth Diapering

I have a whole post on the beginnings of this for us here.

-       Wet bags

-       Pail liners - we use planet wise and needed 2 of them...we bought a cheap trash can to keep them in WITH a lid ;-)

-       Wipes warmer - only because we did cloth wipes

-       Cloth wipes - We started with disposable wipes but I was tired of having to throw these in a separate container than the cloth diapers so we just switched to all cloth. I love bamboo or velour wipes but you could use cheap washcloths...they just aren't as soft to the touch.

-       Cloth diapers, you’ll need at least 24 and this is a whole other blog post for sure

-       Larg(er) diaper bag - I am registering for a Petunia Picklebottom backpack. Cloth just takes up more room.

-       BumGenuis Diaper Sprayer

-       Osocozy Diaper liners - for when baby starts solids...makes the whole ick factor WAY better, plus if baby doesn't dirty these, they wash and dry several times before you have to throw them away!

-       BumGenius Detergent- This works for us and our washer and our water...you may need to experiment here

-       RLR laundry stripper - for my every 3 months update on the diapers

-       Grovia Magic Stick for diaper rash - magic, that is all. 

Clothes line and clothes pins for sunning the stains out of the diapers

For the first few weeks of diapering I use all honest company..wipes and diapers. Meconium and if you circumcise are really hard to deal with in cloth!

Baby wearing

-       Ring sling - I have a single linen wrap 

Moby Wrap- good for the fall and for newborns but we didn't use it a whole lot

-       Becco carrier

-       Tula carrier

-       There is also a shirt I am going to register for this time called the Nuroo you can see that here:  http://nuroobaby.com/product/nuroo-pocket/

Medicines, etc

-       diffuser - we have a couple and paid about $45 for them

-       essential oils (lavender, thieves, RC, lemon, etc)

-       hylands teething tablets

-       Smithicon drops (gas)

-       Infant Tylenol NOT ibuprofen

-       Gripe water

-       Humidifier

-       Baby Comfy nose aspirator (way better than the nose frida) 

Bath Time/Soaps

-       -musela newborn shampoo, helps with cradle cap and we also slathered him in coconut oil

-       -honest company soaps

-       -or California baby soaps

Laundry  - if you cloth diaper you can’t use reg laundry detergent

-       powdered regular tide

-       Norwax or Melaluca detergent

-       NO dryer sheets

-       6 (at least) dryer balls

Sleeping (we will co-sleep again with this baby so he won’t be in a crib until over a year old…)

-       cosleeper (arms reach OR Halo swivel)

-       wool matress pads

-       non-toxic mattress (I really love naturepedic)

-       sheets, the miracle baby wrap, swaddles, etc all organic cotton. I love Aden and Anais

Random

-       bumpkins bibs are amazing (made by cloth diaper cheap manufacter)

-       we got an angel care monitor because I was (am) freaked out about SIDS and we love it. There’s a new one called snuza that looks awesome as well we just haven't looked into it (yet)

-       wubanub pacifiers.  HOLY COW life saver

-       burp cloths, I like the aden and anias but they are expensive so I just use cloth diapers (the old kind lol)

Hope that helps...anything I am forgetting?  I figure everyone will have their own taste on carseats, high chairs (we do baby led weaning so that's another whole different post), strollers or joggers, etc. Some babies love swings and bouncers and some just want to be held. Toys, playmats and all of those things aren't usually super eco-friendly so I didn't include them here. Cohen just liked to play on his quilt with a couple of toys until he was old enough for the bouncer!

Cohen 30 months and other updates

Cohen,

While I am getting further behind on updating, I just wanted to say that I LOVE this stage.  You are wonderful, articulate, and a stubborn mule just like me. I could eat you up most days ;-)

This is your pretend cup that you bring me 'coffee' in. So I put 'real' coffee in it!

At your checkup appointment you were:
36 inches (50% )
29 lbs (25%)

You are my skinny baby now that you wear your big boy undies.  We have a hard time finding pants that will stay around your waist but are long enough for your legs. 2T's are perfect in length but too loose and 24 months are too short. In shirts/jackets you still fit pretty comfortably in the 18-24 month batch with some 2Ts thrown in.  You wear a size 6.5 and 7 shoe...the same size as your YEAR younger cousin, Ace!

Dairy is still an issue but every once in a while we try a treat of frozen chocolate milk....

At school, we had a mid-year check up and they reiterated everything your pediatrician said. You are one smart cookie and communicate unbelievably well for being 2 1/2 years old.
- you have an imagination and tell us stories all the time while playing with your kitchen, your dinosaurs and your train table
- you love to read, and have started saying what is on each page - I think its because you just remember what we read to you ;0)

- you rarely watch tv (since we only have DVDs) but your favorites are still Mickey Mouse, Brave and the Land Before Time
- you count up to 14 ish, and love to count your trains (1-12) Sometimes you count this way (1-2-3-4-8-7-6-7-8-9)
- We got rid of the Paci last month...right about the time mommy and daddy were super stressed around there about jobs. But you pulled through and now can go to sleep just but cuddling with the rd dog part (aka 'red paci')

- You potty trained in December at 27 months old..cold turkey.  You just decided you were tired of diapers.  Its still an announcement when you need to use the potty and we give high fives for #2 ;-) Proud of you big boy!
-you can put on your shirt, brush your own teeth, put on your shoes (but not your socks) and go potty by yourself

- you like to be first, you like things done your way, and anything to the contrary is met with BIG crocodile tears and drama (wonder where you get that from)
- your Granpa is still your favorite person ever. You request to go to his house daily, you run to him like no one else, and you will sleep on him for the extra love...

 - Daddy time came in at a close second. With him out of a job, you got to spend the better part of 5 months with him.  Its been a transition back to him working the past few weeks, but you still like your 'man' time in the evenings.

 - You make the funniest faces; and have started requesting that we take your picture just so you can see what you look like. I think you learned this from Jennifer or Carolyn....

Chocolate Shakeology is your requested breakfast.

 -Swimming....ah, my little fish. Once a week you get a lesson in the pool and you love it.  Right now you float on your back, you sit dive and jump off the edge to your teacher. You love the diving board and your friend, Poppy, who is a year older than you in the class. We still need you to work on blowing bubbles while under water and floating on your tummy!

- Your carseat is a frustration for us right now. You can unlatch the top and think its a game when we have to pull over, get you in trouble, and re-connect it. THIS mama wants to know why you are able to get yourself out of the harness in the first place.....

munching on a cookie after swimming lessons

Easter this year:

too cute, kid. stop it.

I mentioned it before, but we have tried really hard to keep the stress around our house at a minimum around you.  Your daddy has been looking so so hard for work since Thanksgiving and he FINALLY got and accepted a job at a place just down the road from our home.  He will be able to pick you up at lunch time or drop you off at school; and although you don't get to see him every hour of the day, we are ALL in a better place now.  Praise God for blessings and answered prayers!

kissing your daddy!

Little brother is still growing and doing well.  We are off on a trip to Cancun this week...and you will have fun with your Poppy and Lady for SURE!

Blessings!