Baby Goods :: Micro Fashion

It's no secret, baby clothes are my weakness.  As soon as i was pregnant (ok, maybe before), i began stocking up on my favorites, that I've had my eye on for months.  I love dressing my little guy in comfortable yet snazzy clothes.  Here are some of my absolute favorites at 5 months in:

GEO - by dig

I began reading Nici's blog a few years ago, and fell in love with her writing.  She is an inspiring mama to follow, not to mention her fabulous clothing line out of Missoula Montana:  GEO - by dig.  Liam has a bib with Oregon on it, to remember his uncle out west.  I love the simple, natural cotton.  Absorbs all that drool so well.

Sweet Peanut

Like a few other brands here, i found this brand from Zulily.  I bought a 0-3 size long bodysuit and fell in love with the quality and construction of it.  Liam likes his feet out, so having no feet was awesome, to pair with some Zutano booties.  They are made of the softest, most comfortable cotton. They are snug, but stretch just perfectly.  Once he outgrew that size, i stocked up on the next sizes.  Definitely  our favorite pajama's around here.

Zutano

Oh my gosh.  I have been in love with this brand for some time, but once i began dressing my tiny babe in their clothes i fell more in love.  Their designs are fresh and modern.  Their styles are so comfortable for Liam, while also a bit hipster.  I love them.  My must haves for Liam's wardrobe are the simple pants, cotton/fleece hats, cozie fleece booties, along with the striped booties.  I found that their bodysuits ran a bit small, so order a size up from what you think.  We also have a changing pad cover, a few cotton blankets, a Sherpa fleece blanket and the cozie fleece snowsuit.  We use them all daily.  I can't say enough good things about this brand of micro-fashion.

Silk Oak

This shirt is my favorite.  When it's clean, it's typically on him.  Silk oak makes their shirt designs using the screen-printing process.  Out of Ithaca, NY.  I love this brand and can't wait to get more as he grows.

Nui Organics

Another Zulily find.  Such soft and sweet bodysuits.  I loved this one.  It was a bit lighter weight than i would have thought, but would be great for a spring/summer baby.  It was fine for a newborn though, as he was typically swaddled as well.  (ps-how was this only 4 months ago?!)

Baby Gap

The little pants shown above fit so, so well.  We had a couple of newborn / 0-3 pair and i need to go get more for 6-12!  Loved them!

Carters

The brand that seems to be the most popular and common to receive at baby showers.  We were gifted a ton of Carters clothes.  I love their sleepers with a zipper (for easy & fast nighttime changes) and their undershirts/onesies.  Some of the outfits are a bit too much for my personal taste, but definitely a good baby brand.

Gymboree

We had a few newborn sleepers and they fit Liam's long & lean newborn body so nicely.  

Kate Quinn Organics

I have a few outfits from this brand and again, love the quality and construction of the outfits.  The fabrics are a mix of hippie/organic/modern and i love that.

And here are some handsome examples:

Sweet Peanut body suit with a Zutano fleece suit over it.  Sweet Peanut tractor blanket above & Zutano hat.

Zutano booties and bunny with a Nui Organics bodysuit.

Zutano booties & pants.  Carter's long sleeve onesie.

Carter's onesie & Kate Quinn Pants.

Other bits:

Hand knits: I could never have enough.  Luckily my mom, grandma, mom's friends and Jason's aunt all sent along a beautiful start to Liam's collection.  

Hand-me-downs:  You can never go wrong with a nice stash of gently used clothes to help supplement your favorites.

Pricing: You'll also notice that a lot of the pricing on the links i provided might be a bit pricey for someone who is growing so fast.  Well, i bought most everything on Zulily.  If you have a baby (or baby on the way) and aren't signed up, i encourage you to!  I got most of his outfits from the brands above for 50% (or more) off the prices on the websites.  It's a site that features major discounts from big brands daily.  They usually have a sale listed for a few days.  You get an email daily that says what brands they are featuring.  I would just quickly browse the email to see if there was anything i was interested in.  Such great deals.  I also found that i would rather have a few really good quality outfits instead of dozens that i kind of like.  Just my personal taste.  

What other brands do you love for your kids?  What am i missing out on?!

Alive

Wiping down the last counter.  Turning off the light over the kitchen sink, to say goodnight.  It's the third of March as I watch the brilliant white snow falling onto the thick ground cover that's been there for months.  This is the time of year we yearn for mud puddles to appear and the sap to begin it's yearly run.  This is the time of year that late night snow might not feel right.  A few months ago I would have watched that same snow falling illuminated by the soft glow of the moon with a feeling of warmth and shelter on our home.  I would have felt joy with the urge to hunker down and wrap my baby up in cozy blankets, while sipping warm tea by the cook-stove.  Tonight, I felt complacent.  As to say this white stuff would be here forever.  Tomorrow will be white and the day after that.  As I opened the fridge to put away the last pumped bottle of the night, the harsh commercial glow stopped me.  It is in  the deepest part of winter that I yearn for spring.  In the constant flow of muddy boots and dog prints that I look for summer.  During the hottest days of weeding the garden and eating yet another dinner of green beans that I look for the changing of leaves to show me autumn is upon us.  We all do this.  Looking for and feeling the seasons change.

So tonight, I stopped.  I took a deep breath and felt thankful for that breath.  I took a moment and watched the perfectly unique white flakes falling ever so lightly upon our brook.  Instead of using up the space in my mind to plan tomorrow and all that is to be done, I tip-toed upstairs and tucked my sweet baby in just a tad bit tighter.  I stood in his room, looking out his window and remembered last year at this time we were beginning to share the news of our baby on-the-way.  I thought I could never be happier.  This year, the snow is falling and this little guy is sleeping peacefully, happily in his crib.

Sugaring season is here.  Soon we'll be watching our small babe crawling in the grass.  Soon we'll be singing happy birthday to him for the first time.  Yesterday, I spent hours trying to figure out the best way to sooth him in his two week old body.  The day before that I birthed him while autumn leaves covered the ground.  Time is relative.  Time is precious.  We're here until we aren't.  Tonight, I'm not taking one drooly-gummy smile or perfect snowflake for granted.  Tonight, i'm alive.

Adventures in baby feeding : Whole foods

Liam has become so interested in what we are eating.  At his four month check up this week, we asked if we should start introducing solids.  She said to go for it.  I know many people wait until six months, but he seemed ready for the basic first foods.  

Hoping to forgo the cereal route, we decided to start with banana, sweet potato, butternut squash, pears and peas.  We picked up a few sweet potatoes during our grocery shopping trip yesterday.  I had some butternut squash from the farm in the freezer, cut up in chunks last fall, ready to make into healthy food for my little guy.

Yesterday, he tried some banana for the first time and loved it.  We'll stick to banana for a few days, then introduce some sweet potato.  

I began by referencing The Wholesome Baby Food Guide for freezing time frames and techniques.  For my baby shower i got a vacuum sealer and some greens sprouts trays for freezing.  Using my food processor, i purred the cooked squash and sweet potato.  We'll use breast milk to thin them down when we feed him.

The whole process was so easy and fun.  We cook most of our food from scratch, so it just makes sense to add in Liam's food as well.  Although, i am pretty excited about all of the wonderful organic options out in the grocery store these days.  I picked up a few jars of Earth's Best to have on hand as well.

This Moment

Linking up with Soule Mama this morning for This Moment:

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

(Not boiling yet, but this was our test run and it sure was exciting to see the steam coming from the stacks!)

From Germany, With Love

My grandma was in Germany visiting my uncle when my mom was pregnant for me.  She brought back this stroller sleeping bag.  It's the softest, most wonderful baby item.  As we begin transitioning Liam into his crib, i found this to be perfect.  Boy likes to be covered up with heavy blankets.  This sleeping bag does just the trick and he can't kick it off!  He took a hour long nap in it the other day, which was so nice.  His naps are very random, so an hour to get some work done was so appriciated.

Oh, how i love re-using passed down baby goods.

Saturday

My guy

We were deeply immersed in a sweet little boy's first birthday party.  Games were played and pizza was served.  Liam was being passed around, loving the excitement of all the kids.  At one point, i took a moment and watched.  A mix of grandparents, parents, 5-8 year olds and babies 3 and under.  The little ones clearly reaching their limit as nap times approached.  The older kids, wild with the new Nerf guns they won at the arcade.  And the adults.  Mostly chatting and talking about their kids, wrangling their kids and taking bites of pizza when they can. 

Then, i notice my husband.  So naturally holding Liam with one arm, chatting with some of the other dads.  He laughs and jokes and tells of his adventures.  Suddenly, a bullet from the Nerf gun shoots by and without a second to spare, he is completely involved in the 8 year old's game.  Two little boys running around, shooting at each other, and my husband playing just as hard.

I then take a moment and look at the other dads, still deep in conversations.  Their kids asking a question, responded with a "hold on, daddy's talking" answer.

I'm not here to judge other parents, but simply to say this is why i love him.  I knew he would be a good one.  I knew he would play with our kids.  I knew he would be so protective and observant of what they need, what we need.  I grew up with parents that played, actually played with us.  Interacted and sparked our imaginations.  I always wanted that for my kids.  Both parents believing in the power of play and make believe. 

I totally get the need for adult time and conversation. Liam's Grammy came over last Saturday and watched him while Jason and I went on our first date. It was so needed and so refreshing.  I feel like having breaks sometimes makes us all better parents.  So that when we are with him, we are truly, 100% with him.

Liam is 3.5 months old and has been having daddy days three days a week while I'm at work.  At first, a tiny little part of me worried that he would get stir crazy with the daily rhythm of Liam's schedule.  But, of course, he continues to amaze me.  I get home and he tells me stories of their daily adventures.  Some days still in pj's from the night before.  Other days full of productivity and errands.  He gives me tips on what Liam likes.  He talks to Liam like he is the best thing in the whole world.  And my goodness, he is. 

This week i had a busy week at work, so Liam had four daddy days in a row.  On the last day, they plowed driveways, they brought a load of used things to Goodwill.  They made a pot roast in the crock pot, did a few loads of laundry and ran the dishwasher.  They greeted me with loving, happy eyes upon my return home.

Yes, i am bragging about my husband, but he totally gets a high five for jumping into fatherhood with both feet.  Everything i had imagined about parenthood and how we would adjust is just so much better.  Tomorrow i have my first photo shoot, so Liam will spend a few hours with daddy again in the morning.

Granted, we have our moments, like any couple.  But we have grown into this partnership that is so strong and true.  Never in a million years would i have ever thought i would say this, but i can totally see Jason being a stay at home dad.  I love my job, and being at work a few days a week has been good for me.  I always thought i would be the one at home, but really, i can see this morphing into a daddy thing.  You never can plan what is best for your life, it happens as it should.

Right now, i feel so blessed to have found a partner so perfect for me.  We both encourage each other to continue with our hobbies.  He spends hours on his sugaring business, i spend hours taking and editing photos.  Then we come together and love on each other and our boys.

This post will totally embarrass him, but seriously, husband, you are the bomb.
Liam, Charlie and I are so lucky.