Riot and Frolic

I'll lie to you and tell you that people ask me all the time if I have any fav baby products.  

I won't lie and tell you that I happen to know more than a few people who are jumping (or have recently jumped) onto the breeder bandwagon and might want some advice.  Or gifts.  Whatever.

In my experience, here are the things that go BOOM! in my mommaland (remember, 3 girls under 4).

• Baby Trend Sit N Stand Deluxe Stroller– this stroller is the shit.  I can't even be PC when talking about it, it rocks my world that much.  It's made for two kids, right?  But because of the "age range" of my children and their proclivity to be as close to one another as possible (either to annoy or endear, it goes back and forth), all 3 of my little beans can fit on this at the same time and not exceed any weight restrictions.  The front seat also fits most (like 90%) of all infant car seats, so if you are planning on having more than one child BUY THIS STROLLER.

the stroller that changed the world

• Thirsties Duo Wrap – I spoken of these before, but it's worth saying twice that these bad boys are great.  I love the colors and, duh, waterproofness of these diaper covers.  They have elastic around the legs and even when wee Zoo's diaper was super-soaked, this nifty cover didn't leak.

for the cloth diapering hippie set

• Circo's Enchanted Tree Play Tent– The G and I got this for Mae Cake for her 2nd birthday and all the little girls (and maybe momma, too) sincerely adore this hideout.  I'm sure there's similar ones out there, but I love that there's no princesses or other brandification on a toddler plaything for once.  

who doesn't need one of these?

•  The First Years 5 Pack Take & Toss Straw Sippers– I hate sippy cups.  "Leak-proof"= nightmare to clean, false, and expensive.  These cute little cups are cheap and simple.  
  

  don't spend money on sippy cups

• Munchkin Powdered Formula Dispenser– best $3 ever
• Camelbak Kid's Bottle– in a complete 180 from the previous item, Mae Cake's dear friend has one of these that she was fascinated with, so she also got this for her birthday.  She loves it, and I haven't seen it leak yet and OH MY GOSH LOOK AT HOW CUTE THEY ARE!

or spend a lot of money on sippy cups

because these are cute

• BABYBJÖRN Toilet Trainer– we have a stand-alone toddler potty, but the older two seem to enjoy the real thing more.  Put this mini seat on top of your regular toilet seat and watch the magic happen.

sit on it

• BABYBJÖRN Safe Step– goes well with the above thingy.

stand on it

• Infantino Flip Front 2 Back Carrier– surprisingly a no-frills kind of girl when it comes to my kids, after trying out a sling or two and a Moby Wrap, I really love the easy-on, easy-off accessibility of this baby carrier.  Babies have seemed happy and comfortable and so have I.  
  

  pretend you're pregnant all over again
• Pampers Baby Dry– big fan.  Big fan. 

good for their word

• Anything by Carter's or Osh Kosh B'gosh .  The Genuine Kids line by OKBg at Target is so cute, it makes me want to vomit.  I mean, look at this hat.  LOOK AT THIS HAT!

Mae Cake needs this, and an iced tea

• Graco Pack N Play Playard with Bassinet– duh, right?  Everyone needs this.  They're great for the first few months when the babe's rooming in and obviously convenient when traveling.  I have never needed any of the fun accoutrements that are available besides the bassinet (baby shelf), although they do look neat. 

the basic version

the deluxe version

 That's it!  Them's all of my gotta-have-it kid stuff. What's your go-to baby shower gift?  Have any secret weapons you or your ma used?  Do tell!

 One year ago today- List of Last Week's Labors of Love