Here are some items I tell my mommy friends that I cannot live without besides coffee….and wine.

Number one on my list, my absolute favorite!!

1. Off brand dock a tot. I refused to pay for a overpriced bassinet, my mom got this off Amazon and it’s been AMAZING! Hands down, my favorite.

SDADI Baby and Infant Lounger, Newborn Portable Nest, Tencel Cover and Thermolite Fill, Suitable from 0-18 Months, White SD01POM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JW774LP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UtLsDbWS0AKKN

2. Swing, I have a simple Greco swing, that vibrates and has some lullabies. I use this when I need to do things around the house, it puts him to sleep sometimes, and can be great when they start watching some tv so you can have a minute for quiet time or aka-blog time.

Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing, Abbington https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PTL15D6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_crsGDbKR2R18J

3. Pack N Play when I go to the office to work, Beckett plays in the pack n play all day, and he naps in it as well. It’s hard for them to keep themselves occupied at this young age but putting a few of his favorite toys in there has been helpful. We use a boppy for support when he gets tired of using his little belly muscles. We love this item!!

4. Bottle warmer, Soo helpful when you need a bottle warmed fast. However, we didn’t use it as often as I wished.

5. Wipe warmer, I’ll be honest, this is super helpful when they are newborns but after a while of not being in the same room as the warmer and getting used to using wipes out of the pack, I’ve stopped using it so much. Definitely a great purchase for newborn stages.

6. IPad for the car, my child HATES the car, he gets hot, gets upset, screams until he’s out. He’s getting better I’ll say. But for a while….I had to play baby shows on the iPad for him to distract him from the car seat. I bought a iPad head rest strap case and it straps right around the headrest and he watched it until we get home.

7. Formula dispenser, I didn’t have these at first and I completely regret it!! I was taking a can of formula upstairs each night with bottles and blindly trying to fill the messy formula into the bottles in the middle of sleeping. It was a NIGHTMARE. However, these helped so much. I them fill up for nighttime and refill to travel in the diaper bag the next day. Also, they can be used for snacks later on as well. Love these!!

8. Car seat fan, again my baby hates the car, so he gets super hot from screaming to get out. If you buy a portable fan you can attach it on the strollers for walks and use it more often than you think.

Those items are the ones we cannot live without! What are some items that would make my mommy experience better, or something he may love as well?

Xoxo, Hannah.

What to pack in the hospital bag…

This stressed me out to the max. I questioned if I packed enough or over packed, did I pack what he or I really needed?

Let me tell you what you truly need! FOR REAL.

Personally, I had a c-section so my healing was a bit different. It was hard to wear clothes at waist level due to my incisions. So, if you are having a c-section you are in luck.

Items for mommy-

Bring the most comfortable clothing you can pack. I had to actually get someone to go buy me some more clothes because what I brought didn’t fit, due to the severe swelling in my legs after all the fluid I was given, just a thought in case it happens to you as well.

• Lounge pants
• Comfortable T-shirt’s
• Nursing bra
• Socks
• Robe, you’ll want this when getting up constantly, the hospital gowns doesn’t cover your bottom.
• Granny panties, yes I said it, just trust me.
• Going home outfit
• Chargers
• Camera
• Pillow for you and daddy
• Blanket for you and daddy
• Earphones, I personally used these while I was in labor, to calm my nerves and help me relax, it’s hard to focus with constant machines going off and the nursing coming in and out. This is an item I didn’t pack and I made someone run to buy these for me. So don’t forget!
• Slippers
• Dermoplast, large pads, witch hazel. I didn’t use mine, the hospital provided me with all this as well. They hooked me up with the best cold packs ever, the help tremendously down there.
• Makeup
• Travel size shower items, razor, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush and HAIR BOW, don’t forget a hair bow. You will use it, trust me.
• Nursing pads
• Not a necessity but, I brought a cute set of pjs for pictures with Beckett during our stay.
• Snack/drinks, you will get tired of hospital food and midnight comes fast, you will want something to snack on when the cafeteria is closed. We also shared our snacks with our nurses, they worked so hard to help me and the baby that’s the least we could of done for them.

Items for baby

• Several newborn outfits, I packed three or four and it still wasn’t enough. However, with a c-section you have about a 4-5 day stay. Pack several comfortable outfits for them just in case.
• Pacifier, they will give you the huge ones, I’m not a fan of them, so it’s a good idea to bring your preferred paci.
• Outfit for pictures/Going home outfit.
• Boppy
• Hat, mittens, socks
• Car seat, can’t leave without one, obviously.

Don’t worry about diapers, formula, bottles, blankets, bathing items, etc. They provide them all.

This was my personal pack list for my hospital visit. I forgot items and I packed too many items, so hopefully this helps you when it comes to packing for your special trip to meet your baby.

SOMETHING I WISH I WOULD OF KNOWN. Take my advice

Thanks for joining me.

I’m struggling just like you, crying in the shower, chugging coffee in the morning and wine at night. Being a mom is HARD, I repeat, nobody told me how hard this was. However, it’s the most rewarding gift God has ever gave me. When I first found out I was pregnant, my heart stopped beating, literally. I called my best friend, while peeing on a pregnancy test, screaming as the results showed. Instantly, my life was different. I didn’t know all the mom hacks, what to do and not to do (Believe me there is a huge list of those). Your world changes completely when you have a baby, I am young, 24 years old. Not many of my friends have children. Saying that, my weekends have changed tremendously, while my friends are out enjoying themselves, partying, having a blast, I’m probably home playing with a sweet baby. Not complaining at all, just saying, your life changes in ways I never thought would. I love this life…

I love being a mom but I question my parenting skills daily, I call for help, and pray to God everyday. I currently have a 4 month old and strictly living life as a mom, let me tell you, it’s a rollercoaster. Honestly, it’s the best ride I’ve ever been on, loving Beckett is the greatest love in the world. I can’t imagine life without him now. Which brings me here, I want to share my life with you. I’m new to blogging, I am a full time student, help run a family business part time, full time wife and mommy to the best two guys in the world, Tucker and baby Beckett. I would love other mom advice, tell me your hacks, vent to me, brag about your little one, let’s support each other! Moms need moms.

Meet my family.

Tucker, best dad ever.

Beckett, who gave me the role of a mom, my greatest gift from God.

Me, first time mom, living this mommy life to the fullest.