Newborn Must Haves

Hello & Welcome to Rees.In.Pieces! 

Today my sister told me she shared my last post all about The Honest Company and one of her friends was a fresh new mommy too and loved it. So, I thought.. How else can I bring great information to my fellow new moms? I mean, we are all learning - why not share the knowledge? 

I thought maybe I'd share my NEWBORN MUST HAVES as of right now.. Theo is 1 month today, so I gathered as many things as I could remember needing these last few weeks. 

 Baby Theo & I 

 So, here we have many items I don't think I could live without. I'll start on the left! My boppy is an absolute must, and not just for breastfeeding. On top of that, is Theo's Wubbanub and one of the Swaddle Me Swaddles. Swaddles are such a must. Newborns have the startle reflex and in their sleep this reflex can wake them..keeping them snug as a bug in a swaddle will help reduce the startle reflex, reminding your little bundle of joy of mommy's cozy womb. I have the Johnson's hand & face wipes, pacifier wipes, and Johnson's head to toe wipes. Just above that, Munchkin water proof pads, they are perfect for on top of the changing pad cover. Trust me, any extra coverage helps. Some baby lotion, of course. A diaper bag, DUH.. Hanging off my diaper bag is diaper bags that smell like lavender. Yes, that is a sleeper...not just any sleeper though. It ZIPS! Listen up mommies, when you're up and down all night and sleep deprived, buttons are not your friend. Do the smart thing, get some zip ups! The beanie is from baby gap, super soft! Beanies kind of explain themselves I think. There is a stack of blankets and a stack of burp cloths. Mark my words - there is no such thing as too many blankets and burp cloths for your baby. No. Such.Thing. Some A&D and a bum applicator. Formula just incase I needed to supplement. And lastly, diapers and wipes. 

 Bottle warmer, yes. Just yes. Bottle sterilizer & Bottle drying rack. Got it, Love it, Need it. 

 Okay, so this white noise machine was a gift. Trevor's cousin informed him we 100% had to have one, it's the baby whisperer. Truth be told, we use it every night. 

 Yup, you guessed it.. you need a newborn for your newborn must haves! haha.. 

This is Theo. He is in his Fisher-Price Rock n Play. Known as a "Taco" in our house. This thing is amazing. It folds up nice and easy and is perfect for transporting anywhere. This one rocks, has sounds, and vibrates. Theo loves it. 

 Here are just a few things I wanted to have on hand just incase, and turns out I needed a few of them. Nail file is a must, babies have freshly sharpened blades for nails. Gripe water & Gas Relief drops are a huge help when little one gets gas pains. This Braun thermometer is amazing. Get it. 

Any pack n play will work. I got this Graco pack n play that came with an infant seat that flips over to a changing pad. I just took off the infant seat part the other day. This is in our bedroom, just a couple feet away from the bed. I didn't see the point in getting a bassinet when I'd need a pack n play in a few months anyway..I saved the money and have just used this. It's been great. I'm looking into a DockATot and seeing about getting one to use and review - So stay tooned for that!

I'm sure there are a few things I've used and forgotten to mention but for the most part these have been main staples in our crazy & exciting life with a newborn. 

If you have any questions, please comment or contact me! I'd love to hear about your must haves after bringing baby home. 

Thanks for the love & support!

Don't forget to share and subscribe

Jessica Rae

The Honest Truth About The Honest Company

Okay, first off a little disclaimer... 

This post is in no way sponsored. Also, as I thought I would have my new camera by now.. Unfortunately, I do not. Please excuse the photo quality, I am still learning. 

As the title reads, I'll be giving my honest truth about The Honest Company products and how they have effected my baby in his one month of life. Oh my gosh, one month? How has time flown so quickly? It's exciting and sad at the same time. I want my little man to stay little and snuggly forever. Okay, on to the review.. 

Starting off, I'd like to recommend to all the mommy-to-be's out there, if you haven't had your baby shower yet, HAVE A DIAPER RAFFLE. Subtle enough? Okay, good. Glad that is taken care of. 

I had a diaper raffle at my glorious baby shower, and received TONS of diapers. Mainly, Huggies, Pampers, and Honest diapers showed up to party. I got some Luvs as well. 

When we brought little man home, Huggies were the first package to be open. Then by week 2 we opened and tried Pampers. I had noticed that Huggies were causing Theo's diaper area to be red.. So, as said, we moved on to Pampers. After just two days of Pampers, the redness was gone. However, his little butt cheeks were raw with slight bleeding.. WHAT?! YES! 

Sadly, when I noticed this I was not home. We went over to Trevor's parent's house for a small Christmas party. What did I have in my diaper bag? Pampers diapers only. I also had a small travel size of The Honest Company "Organic Healing Balm", so I applied that to his bum and re-diapered with pampers. I felt like a terrible new mommy. By the next diaper change, his bottom was less red and the little area of bleeding was not bleeding. While away from home this night, I patted (not wipe) his bottom with warm water wipes, applied the healing balm, and put a diaper on him. The next day at home, his bottom was literally healed. I swear. So, I kept using the last of the pampers. Bad idea. By the end of the day, the problem way back. This time, I applied the Boudreaux's Butt Paste. It helped a little, but nothing like the The Honest Company Healing Balm. 

At this point, this new mommy was finished experimenting.. I opened the honest company diapers and started using them along with the healing balm and powder. The problem was healed, yet again, within hours. That was it, my mind was made up. 

The cool thing about Target (and Walmart), is that whatever diapers you get at your shower, if you want a different brand, they will return yours and give you a gift card with the dollar amount for you to go purchase what you really want/need. 

I took everything back... Huggies, GONE! Pampers, GONE. Luvs, GONE. I wasn't playing. I got all Honest Company diapers. 

Aside from diapers, I received an Honest Company gift package at my shower that was filled with products for bath time. I haven't exactly had any problems with Johnson & Johnson, but I have a lot of faith and trust in The Honest Company after their diapers and cream came to my Theo's rescue. 

I use their bath products and LOVE the way they smell. The lotion keeps Theo moisturized and just as soft can be. 

I have not subscribed to their monthly service yet simply because Theo is only one month old and I can buy their products at Target. Also, the monthly subscription is a tad expensive and I'm not sure I can commit to it. 

Even if I can't commit to their subscription, I am committed to their company. I highly recommend their products and I'd say so does Theo (My Son). 

If you're looking for a shower gift to get someone, I suggest looking into The Honest Company products. They're worth it, and the person you're gifting will love it. If they don't, it's because they haven't had an experience like me yet. I say yet because almost every baby has diaper issues. If your baby has never had a diaper rash or redness then props to you. If your baby has, and you struggled with it, then try these products and let me know about your experience!! 

Alrighty Ya'll, well my over all review of The Honest Company is pretty clear. If not, then I'll just say..We are pro Honest Company. 

Sorry this post is so long, but for all the moms and mommy-to-be's out there - it's worth the read! If you can avoid a diaper issue, then do it. Try these products out and I hope they help you as much as they helped us!

Comment below and let me know about your experiences with The Honest Company!!

Don't forget to subscribe for future posts.

Love & God Bless,

Jessica Rae 

Into My Pumping Travel Bag

Today was my first day back to classes for the New Year, and being that I was away from my little man, I had to pump while on the go. I thought it would be nice to share what I keep in my pumping bag! 

As I've mentioned before, I am a senior in nursing school. Keeps me on busy. As much as I wish I could take maternity leave until Theo starts school himself, I can't. This degree being my dream, I owe it to my son, my family, and myself to see it through to graduation. Even as a new mommy, I must learn to away from my baby. Which means many minutes hooked to a breast pump. 

I have a large tote that I call my "pumping travel bag". In my tote I keep my pump, both the wall plug and a car adapter, the tubes that hook to the pieces that suction to my breasts in order to pump. I also keep breast pads, cause yes..leaking is real. I keep the medela cleaning wipes to give everything a nice wipe down after each use (I sterilize everything when I get home). Okay, the mini cooler bag is obviously to store my expressed milk in and the snacks are because pumping makes me hungry and my appetite has been little to none since Theo was born, so anytime I'm the least bit hungry..I keep different types of yummy bars ready to munch on. The scarf, is to constantly be in style..DUH. No, I'm playing. It's to cover up while I drive.. I also keep a nursing cover in my car. However, I find a scarf is a bit easier while pumping and driving. 

I was pretty nervous about taking my pumping gear on the road with me, but having a well packed bag really helped. I'd say today was pretty successful. After all, I got the job done as far as pumping milk out to feed my son. Success! 

Lecture wasn't half bad today either, it's another start to another course with new patients that gets me closer to the end goal. My courses run 8 weeks long, which is half the normal course length. 

If anyone has any questions about my pumping schedule, the products I use, or the supplements I take to help improve my milk supply... please, ask!! 

Also, I would love to answer any questions you have about nursing school. 

Let's chat!

Remember to subscribe (:

Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017

 

2016 easily became the best year of my life. Why? You may ask. Well, I became a mother. A title I honestly never thought I'd hold. On December 9, 2016 at 7:02 am, Theodore James Rees arrived and stole my heart. Yes, I am a very over protective and paranoid mom. I have that mentality like... "Mine!" (haha). Nobody does anything like I want it done, and honestly I prefer to do everything. It's quite funny, but sometimes not so great when family is trying to just help. What can I say? He is mine after all.. 

Theo is in fact my most precious Christmas gift of 2016. However, I got many generous and awesome gifts. A few of my faves are below. These gifts I've chosen to share are not everything I received, for I am blessed with the most generous family. Considering I have a slight buffalo checkered plaid obsession, I'd say my family came through!! 

A big goal of mine for 2017 is to take better care of my myself. I've always been pretty fit, besides now being 3 weeks postpartum. Anyway, like I was saying... I've always been pretty fit, but I've never been too great at skin care. So in 2017, I hope to become more familiar with skin care products and companies. If ya'll have any suggestions, please comment below!! 

Burberry is my favorite company aside from J. Crew. 

Kate Spade earrings should be a staple in every lady's collection, and my beloved second mom (Barbie) got me mine! Yes, her name is Barbie and yes, she is blonde and gorgeous. 

I am so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends who chose to give such amazing gifts. Many are not in my photo nor are they mentioned, but please know, I am extremely grateful. 

That's it for 2016... Christmas ended the best year of my life. Though the year came to a happy end, I'll never forget the joy and wonderful memories. 

On to 2017? Yes! How exciting! 

I love new beginnings.. 

Here are my TOP 10 GOALS for 2017:

1. Be the best Mother I can be

2. Be kind to others (Sometimes I struggle with this)

3. Lose the rest of my baby weight, plus an additional 15 lbs. (Obviously)

4. Read more (Hints the Kindle for Christmas)

5. Attend Church more

6. Pass all my courses & graduate from nursing school

7. Pass NCLEX on the first attempt

8. Take better care of myself fully (Health is wealth, they say)

9. Develop Rees.In.Pieces to the high level blog I know it can become

10. Overall, be a better spouse, better daughter, better sister.. (there is always room to grow)

Okay, this is long enough.. sorry! Thanks for tagging along on my journey, be sure to subscribe!

P.S. I am supposed to be getting a new camera here very soon, which will hopefully improve my photo quality!