Mommy Series | Survival List

There's no denying that babies require a lot of stuff. Sure, I guess we could technically make do without it. I mean....they managed back in the bible days with a little hay and some blankets. However, we've come a long way since then (thank goodness) and there are so many wonderful baby items out there that help make our lives easier. These key items saved my life. I don't know how I could have survived without them!!

1.) Rock N Play. Best baby item that exists in my opinion.
2.) This Eddie Bauer diaper organizer. It was so super handy those first 6 weeks.
3.) Bouncer. We used it alllll the time.
4.) Gripe Water, Gas Drops and Gerber Soothe. Gripe water instantly cures hiccups--it's actually quite amazing. I'm not sure if gas drops really do much but Campbell still loves them. They must taste good. Gerber Soothe. A probiotic that supposedly helps colic. I actually think that it really did help with Campbell's colic. It's the size of your pinkie fingernail and costs $30 but when you have a baby with colic, you'll try anything. Walgreens is the only place I've known to carry it.
5.) This Woombie swaddle is essential the first 2 months or so. It's easily zips up, keeps them nice and tight, and you can see their little stomach moving when they breath which is wonderful when you're a paranoid Momma like myself and wake up 7 times in the middle of the night to make sure they're okay. Once they get a little older, I recommend the Aden +Anais Easy Swaddles.
6.) Babywise. By 13 weeks Campbell was sleeping 10:00-7:00. A few short weeks later he was going 7:30-7:00. Life. Changing.
7.) Activity Mat. Campbell loved playing on it.
8.) White noise maker. The doorbell, Ivy and Madison barking, the alarm....they never wake Campbell up.
9.) Stacking rings. Campbell's favorite toy!
10.) Once they graduate from being swaddled, I recommend using the sleeping bags. Campbell will wear his sleep sack for a long time. I LOVE them and it makes me feel good to know he has a "blanket" over him. I prefer the Aden + Anais Cozy Sleeping Bags because they're thicker. He's almost outgrown his size small and it's time to move to a medium. I'm going to try the Cozy Plus for some extra warmth now that it's winter.
11.) Boon Flair high chair. It's so easy to clean which is nice since meal times are an absolute mess. Gives me anxiety just thinking about it.
12.) Now that Campbell takes baths like a big boy and sits in the tub, this little ducky has been wonderful. The first few times Campbell took his baths like a big boy I just sat him in the tub and it stressed me out soooooo bad. I quickly went to Target to pick this up and it's awesome. Campbell loves playing in it and it feels much, much safer than just plopping him in the tub.

So there are a few of my essentials. What were some of yours? Anything that you literally couldn't have gotten by without? I'd love to hear! Especially if it's something Campbell may need in the upcoming months.

Mommy Series | {For My Babies With Four Legs}

A lot of people think I became a first time Mom 7.5 months ago. While that's sort of true, I actually became a Mom a little over 2.5 years ago to my precious girls! Ivy and Madison are my babies too and I love all three of my kiddos with the same heart and tenacity. My girls require a few must have's in their sweet little life. Below is a list of items that are always in our home. Ivy, Madison and myself couldn't get by without these key things.

1.) I've always fed the girls Hill's Ideal Balance. Dr. Bob (Holly's doctor in Little Rock) said it's what I should feed them and his word is good as gold to me. This is what they always have and always will eat.
2.) We do puppy pads here in the Johnson house. We used them with Holly (my beloved former dog for those of you who don't know) for 15.5 years. When we got Ivy and Madison, Scott and I heavily weighed the options of having them go outside or go on puppy pads. We both decided we like doing the puppy pads. While it can get old taking care of it, I'm glad we do it. Puppy pads allow us the freedom of being able to leave all day long if we need to (we never have) and not have to worry about letting the girls out to potty when the weather is bad, etc.
3.) Paul Mitchell's dog shampoo is my fav. I've tried all of the different scents and love them all.
4.) These Boots & Barkley beef bones (from Target) are always in our home. The girls are obsessed.
5.) This brush is the best. Gets knots out like non other. You can find it here.
6.) Dog sweaters are a must. Obviously. TJ Maxx/Homegoods always has the cutest ones.
7.) Trifexis. Loved my Interceptor before they discontinued it. Ugh. This is the next best thing IMO.
8.) Toys. Lots and lots of toys. The squeaker the better!
9.) Milkbone Maro snacks. The girls favorite!

Not listed but the most important item of all......a comfy bed!!! Preferably in front of the fireplace especially during the winter. Ivy and Madison LOVE their bed. I got this one at TJ Maxx. I tried to find one that would blend into our home as much as possible and this one fit the bill. And just so you know, that is Ivy's spot. Don't try to get in that corner. It belongs to her.

Finally, a dog carrier is always good to have around. We only use ours when we go to the vet or the groomer but the girls love getting in it and it's easy to tote around. I got mine at Walmart! They actually have really great options.
That's my list for my girls. What are your must have mommy items for your fur babies?

Mommy Series | {What's In My Baby Bag}

I never imagined I would carry a diaper bag. I was never fond of any that I had ever seen and never understood why Mom's didn't just stick a few diapers and wipes in their purse instead. Ha. That makes me laugh now. I was so clueless. Babies require a lot more than diapers and wipes when you leave the house with them. Luckily, many designers make chic diaper bags now and once I discovered that, my hunt for the perfect baby bag was on! I spent a looooot of time on the internet searching (and even wrote a blog post about it here) and finally decided to carry the Tory Burch Logo Billy Bag. I really love this bag and I'm glad since it's not just a baby bag but my new purse as well. Whenever Campbell and I are on the go, I never leave home without it. Thankfully it's large enough to carry the many items Campbell requires when we're out and about. These things are always in tow.

1.) Hand sanitizer, diapers and wipes of course.

2.) Our favorite Wubbanub. Rarely does Campbell use a paci but occasionally he surprises me and I catch him going to town on it. Plus he likes to play with the elephant attached. 

3.) I always keep a blanket or two in my baby bag. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are my favorite! I typically grab this fun pattern for every day and this sweet pattern for church. 

4.) Burp cloths. At least two. We seem to always need them! I love 3 Martha's Applique Burp Pads. They're the best and all I use. 

5.) Now that Campbell is eating real food he requires special items for when we're eating out. Disposable place mats and bibs are awesome! What would I do without them? I also keep his spoons and puffs on hand. 

6.) We never leave the house without the mini iPad!! Campbell watches Mickey during the drive. 

7.) A Marc by Marc Jacobs cosmetic bag to keep smaller items (spoons, hand sanitizer, etc) organized. 

8.) Johnson and Johnson hand and face wipes. 

9.) Toys for Campbell to play with. Usually it's his Nuby teething ring and Sophie. 

Whew! Who knew you had to carry so much around----every single time you go somewhere? Good thing my baby bag can handle it!

Mommy Series | {Mom Style}

This week I'm going to blog about all things Mom. From must have items to fashion and everything in between, I'm going to share what I love and need to survive in this crazy new life of mine!
I'm going to kick this weeks series off with mommy friendly fashion. You frequently hear women say things like "I can't wear that, I'm a Mom" and I never understood that statement---until I became a Mom. It's not necessarily that you can't wear something, it's just that it may be harder when you have a baby in tow. Two things that I've had to (sort of) give up for a little while are really high heels (too hard to wear when carrying a wiggly 14 pound baby around) and necklaces (Campbell enjoys eating them these days). I still wear my pretty pumps and necklaces but not as frequently as I used to. Flats, kitten heels, booties and scarves are now my go-tos. And comfort. But that was a requirement before baby!

Boots//Report seen here | Scarf//Francescas | Legwarmers//Altar'd State similar here

Come back tomorrow to see what baby items I never leave home without. 

tough & sweet

My little peanut has been soooo sweet to me this week. There's definitely no denying that Campbell has been a tough baby at times. When he's sweet, he's SWEET. When he's fussy.....watch. out. Campbell nearly took me to my limit last weekend but he's made up for it tenfold this week. Every day has been easy and I've thought to myself "wow, this is what most people with babies always get to experience. Must be nice." I definitely have compassion for all of the Mommas out there who have/had tough babies. It's hard. I'm hoping this week is the shining light at the end of the hard baby tunnel. Everyone always told me "when they turn 6 months old, life gets so much easier." And I'm just over here like........................

We have gotten so lucky with Campbell that he's a great sleeper. I cannot imagine still getting up with him in the middle of the night. I would lose my mind. After 10 weeks of no sleep, I couldn't take it anymore and had to find a solution to fix my sleep deprivation. Quickly. I've never been so determined to conquer something in my entire life. And Campbell so smoothly and easily took to 11+ hours of sleep like it was no biggie. I think the Lord knew how much I needed that. Like, no joke I neeeeeeed it. A lot of it. I mean, sleep is my favorite thing to do after all. I'm really good at it.

Campbell and I kicked off our weekend with lunch at On The Border then shopping around the mall. And we had so much fun! Then we came home to swing and I took this photo of him and I can't figure out why he looks so old in this picture!!! I love this little peanut. He can be so hard at times but he is also so sweet. And smiley. And happy. And he loves his mommy.

And his Mommy loves him. Soooooooooooo much.

What's New | cold weather + lbs

Hey all! I feel like we haven't simply talked in a while. What's going on in our world? Hmm.....let's see....

It is COLD in Northwest Arkansas. We're all about sweaters, beanies, fireplaces, scarves, comfort food and enjoying the beautiful autumn trees while they last. The leaves are beginning to fall and it makes me sad. My only complaint about fall weather is that it doesn't last long enough! There's a road I drive down every day and it is lined with the most beautiful red maples that seem to go on for days. I look forward to those trees turning red every year because it's seriously so gorgeous.

All is good with our little peanut! We've been going to the doctor every few weeks to check his weight and when we went last Thursday, he had gained almost a whole pound in just 3 weeks! We're going back next Thursday to weigh him and if he's gained again I think we'll be done with all of this weight checking business. I was SO STRESSED about it all for a little while there. A few nurses tried to make me believe there was something wrong with my milk which was really upsetting to me. I made multiple visits to lactation consultants and they put me on Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle (18 pills a day!!!) and had me pumping 7 times a day in addition to the 5 times that I'm already nursing. It was quite miserable. Deep down inside I knew there was nothing wrong with anything. So after about a week I stopped all of that nonsense and went with what my gut was telling me. Campbell takes what he needs/wants. It's actually quite simple. No sense in trying to complicate it and add extra stress to my life that I really don't care to have. Now that Campbell is eating soft finger foods, it has to be helping him pack on the weight. Plus, his reflux is soooo much better than it used to be. I mean, if I spit up over half of my meal every time I ate I'd be skinny too. I think we're about to see a big growth spurt in our little peanut. Here's hoping anyway!

I've recently come up with a wonderful baby proofing method for Campbell. Dog bed. I throw a blanket over Ivy and Madison's bed and stick Campbell in it with some toys. Ha! I totally understand if you think that is extra strange but it's been quite nice actually. The girls, on the other hand, don't really appreciate it.

Speaking of the girls, they are very excited that it's sweater weather again. They love their sweaters!!! They look super cute in them too. Wouldn't you agree? :)