6 Month Baby Favorites

In honor of Beck's 6 month birthday tomorrow, we're talking about her this week!

As opposed to every other week, where we also talk about her.  It just feels right.  

Baby gear might very well be my current favorite topic.  It's all so shiny and new and exciting and useful and useless and there. is. just. so. much. of. it.  I have to remind myself LOTS that African woman do not have a gazillion bouncy things or rattly things or colorful things to engage their children, they just treat them like humans and they fare pretty well.  I TRY to remind myself that, at least.  We were hugely lucky to get lots of hand-me-downs, so only a few of the things below are things we've actually purchased.  But, without further ado, here's what we love and use a ton!

1. Baby Bjorn Bouncer.  We have an old one from Jay's sister, and it is our most used piece of equipment by a landslide.  Beck loves it, and while they are super expensive, I'd actually purchase one again, even at this age, if something were to happen to ours.  It's light so we take it everywhere, makes zero noise, and on the rare happy occasion Beck has even napped in it.  This is a big deal, because Beck has to have super elite conditions to nap.  
2. 4 Moms tub.  "Not what I thought that'd be," Jay said.  Yep, we're still using the baby tub in our kitchen sink.  I think Beck might be fine in the big tub, but she can't sit up really reliably yet so we still use it.  Plus, it tells us what temperature the water is, looks super cute, and I'm obsessed with 4 Moms like the millennial that I am.  
3. Fisher Price jumper.  Pictured above!  I found this at Babies R Us on clearance and I had a gift card, so I "paid" $5 for this.  Beck LOVES it.  She doesn't really get any of the activities yet but she kind of whacks at the animals and games and just gets a huge kick out of jumping and bouncing.  I think it's great for her muscle development, but I also notice that it has enough support that she can kind of lean back in it and take a break but not slouch too much.  It also has 3 levels so it can grow with her as she gets taller.  
4. Anything from Burts Bees Baby.  Another repeat, but we have the sheets, changing pad covers, and tons of clothes, and love them all.  They are super cute but in subdued colors and seem to wash really well.  And, she's currently entered in their cutest baby contest so PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD VOTE FOR HER SO SHE CAN BE FAMOUS.  Because that's what life is all about.  
5. Other clothing favs are Primary and Le Petit Bateau.  We have some random other brands, Carter's, etc, but those and Burt's Bees are our favorite brands.  
6. Nuk Pacifiers.  We went through so. many. brands, and our pediatrician recommended these.  The nipple kind of points up, so I think it's harder for them to fall out of Beck's mouth, and we have the ones that are all one piece and gummy so she can kind of chew on the edge if they fall out and she can't quiiiite get it back in on her own.  
7. Chicco Nextfit convertible carseats.  We have 2!  She loves it and falls asleep in them super quickly, which I consider a great sign.  I got mine nice and discounted at Albee Baby, which is my new fav place for baby gear, even though we kind of have everything we need for the time being.  
8. ErgoBaby 360.  We started using this after about 3 months, and find that it supports our backs really well, even when we carry Beck for long periods of time.  So far we've only worn her on the front facing in and out, not on the side or back yet.  Coming soon!
9. Boppy Chair.  It's new on the market this year, collapsible, and we adore it.  It has an infant insert so it holds Beck up even though she can't sit up very well yet, and banging on the tray is just. so. fun.  I think the idea is to take it to restaurants and attach it to the chairs, which I think I'm going to try soon because restaurant high chairs are really only suited for babies that can legit sit up and are way bigger and stronger.  
10. Baby Einstein play mat.  We got this from our shower at Jay's work, and Beck always kind of liked staring up at the stuff, but now she reaches for the hanging toys and likes to scoot around on her stomach for approximately 5 minutes before screaming - she forgets about half the time that she is capable of rolling front to back, and it's pretty pathetic.  
11. Baby Jogger City Mini.  Another baby shower gift, we adore this stroller.  It was a mid-price range, does everything we want it to do, and Beck seems comfy in it, so a win all the way around.  No $800 stroller for us, thank you very much.  

I was going to make a list of things we don't love but, honestly, it's just the mother effing Rock N Play.  I have it, still, and toss Beck in it occasionally, but she almost always cries pretty quickly.  I think the longest she's ever sat in it without hollering was 20 minutes, and that's with constant chatting and squealing from me, which, frankly, is incredibly annoying to everyone BUT Beck.  Other than that, though, the name of our game is to have stuff around that she really loves and try to keep her from eating the remotes.  It's a great time.  

This isn't sponsored.  I wish it was.  More baby updates coming tomorrow!