baby must haves.

i recently took a little mental review of finn's most used baby products over the past almost year (wow!) and decided to make a little blog of them.  i am going to post a mommy must have list too of what i've found most handy so far. 

it was hard for me to navigate the baby registries in the beginning, and it's funny to see what you actually end up using all the time that you never thought you would, and what you never use that you really thought you would.  these few things are our "tried and trues" and finn uses them all on a daily basis.

first up:
bright starts bounce bounce baby and tiny steps walker.
of all "baby gear" items, these two things are hands down the ones finn uses the most.  every day.  most times more than once.  finn started using the jumper when he was just shy of four months old, and now at almost 11 months he still stands in it every morning while he watches his sing along songs and i get ready.  i have no idea how it still holds his interest but it does.  i picked it solely for the fact that it was the smallest and cheapest jumperoo available.  but apparently it is also extremely entertaining.  and also extremely containing.  win win. 
the tiny steps walker was lent to us by a friend.  finn has been walking around in that thing since he was five and a half months old.  he loves it.  he runs around the kitchen in it eating puffs like a champ.

numero dos:
bla bla baby fox and aden and anais swaddles.
finn sleeps with these.  they are his loveys.  i can't say enough about the companies and the quality of these items.  they make lovely shower gifts.  they are expensive, but i consider them investment pieces and i fully expect finn to take them with him to college.  or i expect to sleep with them when he leaves for college.  either way we're getting our money's worth.

3:
plugs.
and plug chains.
they gave me a fistful of these at the hospital and they are finn's favorite.  i am sure we will have to fight the battle of the plug one day, but if you have a baby who likes to suck on things and you don't want it to be you all night long, i highly recommend using a plug. 
the pacifyme etsy site is also really great and i have ordered a bunch of binky clips from her.  it's a much cuter alternative than repeatedly retrieving sticky binkies covered in dog hair from some dark corner of your family room.


four:
poketo backpack.
i don't use a diaper bag.  most of the time i can fit what i need for finn in my purse, which is akin to mary poppin's carpet bag.  but when i can't, i pack this backpack for finn.  this is also the bag that he takes to his babysitter's on thursdays and fridays when i'm at work.  i thought it was a more masculine alternative than dropping him off with a diaper bag.  and i like the company.


and last but not least:
good night moon and the very hungry caterpillar.
these don't need a link because i'm sure you're all familiar with these classics.
reading these two books has become part of our bedtime routine and we do it every night.  the board books are great because they're sturdy and finn can now turn the pages himself.  he loves them and so do we!

i always like to hear what are on other mom's "can't do without" lists.  i'm thinking about giving one of these bath rings a shot because finn is starting to get extra brave in the tub.  what are some of your baby's favorite things?