Because what is life if not full of kid gear, right? 
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baby gear
2-Year Toddler Favorites
Two years and two months, but the doctor is two months behind and so are we, and that's fine, right? 
So! Beck had her two year appointment FINALLY yesterday, which resulted in good scores all over except in the "sitting still for shots" category, where she grabbed the needle (yes, I was holding her, tightly) and scratched it against herself. Baby's first accidental needle stick, I couldn't be more proud. She looked all kinds of baffled and then the nurse put the bubble machine on, and through just the most pitiful tears Beck was all "BUBBLES! Thank you for the bubbles!" So she survived, is my point. And yes, we still believe very strongly in vaccinating, which I assume is why Beck tried to do it herself. Because it's worth it.
Vaccine opinions aside, Beck has gained good weight, knows a gazillion words, and loves going to the doctor even though she doesn't actually like the doctor to touch her. She DOES like telling him how to spell her name and repeating his name back to him over.and.over.and.over, so all was well. It's so different once kids hit two, there are new growth charts and new things to look for and new foods to consider, it's so much fun and nostalgic all at the same time.
We've evolved in our gear a little bit too, mainly to the tune of every spare floor space being taken up by some kind of toddler item. We have very few rooms where kid stuff isn't present, which is just fine with me. I'm not trying to pretend like Beck only lives in one room any more than Jay and I do, and it means she's entertained in lots of spaces.
Here are some of our favorite things!
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Current Baby Favorites
Toddler favorites, really, but I can't bring myself to type that. 
But! As you know if you've ever talked to me for five seconds, I'm still one million percent obsessed with baby gear. When we think about having a second kid I'm disappointed that 1. we already have everything we need and 2. we didn't "need" nearly as much as people said we did, obviously. Beck is nearing a year and a half, which I just can't believe, and here are some of our current favorites and things we use all the time.
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Baby + Toddler Gift List
Tis the season! 
Well, you've probably done all of the shopping in the world that you need to do, and THAT'S GREAT FOR YOU. I, on the other hand, have barely started. I've gotten gifts for most of my friends and our adopt-a-kid gifts are due Thursday, THEN I'll move on to our families. It's just how the year has gone.
But! My favorite people to buy for are babies, hands down. I'm fully obsessed with baby gear and like having a few different-but-practical ideas for kids + parents. Christmas is a perfect time for a few overpriced gems, so spoil away! PS some of these links are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I get like $1 of whatever you buy if you use the link down there, so that's nice. ...
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!
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