Lazy Baby: Summer Time!

This post is all affiliate links.

Summer is here and so I put together some baby must-haves for some fun in the sun.

1. Sunglasses: Lazy Baby has a pair and it is the cutest thing in the world to see a toddler with sunglasses on. (Target)
2. Sunscreen: A requirement for sunny days...and overcast days, too. I speak from personal experience, you can get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Just FYI. (Target)
3.  Sun hat: MORE SUN PROTECTION! Plus, it's a cute hat. (Old Navy)
4. Terry swim cover: If you go swimming, this is like a towel your baby can wear. Plus, MORE SUN PROTECTION! (Old Navy)
5. "Boy's" swimsuit: I love the surfing dinosaurs! (Old Navy)
6. "Girl's" swimsuit: Fun, tropical vibes. (Old Navy)

New Parent Must Haves

*This post contains affiliate links.

We are in our third month of new-parenthood, and I thought I'd team up with Target (affiliate) to share with you my favorite baby products that we could not live with out. These items are total life savers.

1. The number one thing I want to recommend every new parent get is a swing. We have this Graco swing, and this thing is the best. Lazy Baby can be put in it, the music turned on and the swing a-swaying and it gives us a break from constantly holding her. She's almost outgrown it now, and I may cry the day comes that we have to put it away.
2. I never could get the hang of swaddling, and the velcro swaddles didn't work – Lazy Baby got out of every single one. When we tried these zip up swaddles, life become so much easier. I just wish they made these even bigger, but I guess babies don't want to be swaddled for forever.
3. We use all the bottles we have, but I really do think these helped with gas in the earlier days. Added bonus, they are the least messy bottles when we're feeding the baby (one down side is all the extra parts you have to wash).
4. Once LB became a bit more aware of her surroundings, she started to love to play with this play mat. Added bonus: you can walk into the next room and know she's still alive by the sounds of the piano as she kicks it!
5. Once you get diapers from all you baby showers...get more. We like Pampers because we found we had less "accidents" with them and I really like their rewards program.
6. Muslin swaddle blankets. I may not be able to swaddle well, but these are big enough that even my big baby was able to be soothed, momentarily anyway. Now she just uses them as regular blankets because it is too hot here in New Orleans for "real" blankets most of the time. PLUS these are so cute!

She's growing so fast that a lot of these things are becoming parts of her past, but I still think any new mom/dad could benefit from having these tools helping them out in the early days. Best of luck!

Baby Shower Gift Guides

With our baby showers coming up, I thought I'd team up with Target (affiliate) to give you some ideas for baby shower gifts that any parent would love to have when they welcome their new baby! Also, if you are expecting – first, CONGRATULATIONS! – second, you should totally sign up for Target's Baby Registry!

1. Not the most exciting gift, but definitely one that is needed, Healthcare and Grooming Kit.
2. Changing table mats. I don't have any experience in this realm yet, but I've heard the horror stories.
3. I actually have this diaper bag on my baby registry! I think a backpack is the way to go and Mr. LL can carry it around, shame free, too!
4. How cute is this little fox? Bonus, he clips onto the stroller so he won't get lost when you're on the go!
5. The world of online parents love these WubbaNub pacifers and I'm totally down with the hype.
6. The baby shower staple, Boudreaux's Butt Paste. I've never been to a shower where the mom-to-be didn't get this in some form.

(All the links above are affiliate links.)

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SOME OTHER IDEAS

• I'm seriously considering getting the diaper & wipe subscription from Honest Co. and diapers are always welcome gifts (affiliate link).
• There's just something magical about Melissa & Doug toys. I feel like Lazy Baby could really grow her imagination and cognitive skills with them (affiliate link).
• Fisher Price pretty much has the baby gear market covered. Play mats, bouncers, rockers, swings, plus bright and shiny toys that even I'm drawn to – they have it all (affiliate link).
• I love this onesie from Etsy seller Biased Baby. My friend Sara already got it for Lazy Baby!
• Give the gift of...YOU! Whether it's in the form of: watching the baby so the new parents can get some sleep/take a shower/run an errand; cooking and bringing them a home cooked meal; offering to clean; or even just offering to run to the store for them – remember, "it takes a village."