My favs, revised and continued!

So I promised I would have this out awhile ago but I got busy, and forgot, and then school started and then I came up with excuses and I'm just gonna stop now and go on with the point of this blog! :)

ANYWAY

I have a revision to my prior blog with the stroller.
Today I bought...

This is the Graco Modes Click Connect Stroller in Onyx (the only color that was not a travel system)

I love this for a few reasons.

1. The color. It is gender neutral and will not show any stains.

2. The diversity in age range...in the pic above it shows the toddler level but in total there are 10 different positions that work with the stroller...it has the position above, as well as NINE (yes 9!) other positions for a total of TEN different options! The seat detaches and can be turned to face you or away, and the seat can be completely reclined to a sort of 'buggy' look. Also, if you have any of the click connect car seats, that also can connect to just the frame! I do not have the car seat, but I am so in love with this stroller! It will work for ALL of the kidlets I watch who currently range in age from 7 weeks to 2 years and 7 months! (stroller ages...actually watch kids up to 9 1/2 years!)

Also, I need to add to my infant overnight list! 

This is the 'bed' I have...

I have this Summer Infant Travel Bed. This folds up REALLY compact, which is perfect because I don't have a TON of room. Also, it kinda doubles as a 'play area' as far as the mobile dangly thing goes (I have no idea what to call it. ) It is PERFECT for miss Kaya (7 weeks), because not only is it comfy for her, but I can take the sheet off the mattress and wash it! 

Next, I go to my must haves for traveling with a...*gasp* TODDLER! Now it's not that bad. I find it easier than traveling with an infant for a few reaons.
1. Less diaper changes
2. Less outfits
3. Easier to pack for 'long term' (will get to that)

Anywho, here we go!
I have MANY sippy cups...but my favorite would have to be...

The Munchkin 10 Oz Click Lock, No spill sippy cup! Not only are they ADORABLE, but they are light, NEVER spill (thanks to the locking mechinism) are REALLY easy to clean, and hold A LOT. Lucy (2 years 3 months) loves these cups! Especially the flowers :). 

I also own an aluminum sippy cup, and a recycled sippy cup (ones that walmart sells). But these are easily my favorite!

Besides the sippy cup, if I am bringing a child out, I must have this...

This is the Summer Infant Tiny Diner (in green). It suctions to the table and has a nice little 'scoop' to catch anything that spills. It also keeps germs away from kiddies! Whats even greater is it is dishwasher safe and VERY easy to wipe down! I never leave home without it if I even THINK that I'll be out with a toddler.

After that comes diapers, while I usually go with paren'ts choice when it comes to infants, it is much easier to just grab one of these...

A huggie's slip on. These are the absorbancy of a regular diaper, but a style of a pull up. so much easier when on the go. The reason I chose huggies is because it works for all the kids in the age range I watch! (ie, no allergies/bad reactions.)

Lastly, my car seat. 

I have the Graco MyRide 65 in Royale. It is not only gender neutral, but works for infants (on the off chance that I'd need it for a youngin) and toddlers. More importantly, it allows for rear facing up to 40lbs, something that is very important to me (I'll save my RF till 4 rant for another post :) ). All of the kids I babysit and have traveled with so far love it! I just got it in december so I havn't used it much but so far it's great! Not only is it nice for travel, it's really easy to install!

Besides all that, I usually just bring an extra white onesie and an extra pair of plain white socks (you never know what will happen. ) I also have a gender neutral 'wind breaker' jacket that I use in the spring/fall when it isn't chilly when you leave, but as time goes on it gets cooler. 

And that's about it! Thank you all for being so patient with me! In the coming weeks I will attempt to do a review of the Graco Modes Click Connect Stroller, hopefully with an infant and a toddler perspective. Also I will go on my RF (rear facing) rant, which I'm sure you ALL want to hear about (haha) no but really, it is really importnt to me and if I can shed some light on the subject and help educate even one person, that's awesome!

Anyway, it is 11:55 pm where I am and I have class at 8am and am not done with homework yet! (I'm such a college student :P)

Hope everyone is having a great 2013 so far!

My current favs: Babysitter's style (0-12 months, daytime)

Okay, so I figured that for a 'fun' post...I would make a posting about my favorite 'necessities' for babysitting! This is for cases that you will be taking the child out.
I'm going to split this into a couple categories based on age, and how long you are babysitting...

Category 1...Daytime, ages 0-12 mts. 

Car seat, not my favorite, but it is inexpensive and still gets fairly good reviews
It is the basic Graco Snugride Infant Car seat. It is rear facing (rf)  up to 22 lbs and 29 inches.









This is the print I have it in.
Most times though, if I am going to take a baby out, the parents already have a car seat. 9 times out of 10, they have a graco snugride 30 or 35, and for that I just need the base...



This base installs quick and easily (BIG PLUS!)  and works for both the 30 and 35 (not the 22, but I have that base that came with the carseat that I own)

Also, I like to keep a stroller in my trunk. It is so much easier to move a baby around (no matter what the age) in a stroller. For this reason I have a graco stroller that allows a car seat to clip in.



Although it does not match the car seat I have, it is gender neutral, and works with all graco car seats. It folds up quickly and easily and has a VERY large basket underneath. It works up to 50lbs.

Now, after all the 'gear' comes the bag. I've got a few bags, but one major favorite. All my favorite bags are Ju Ju Be. But my favorite would have to be







 

The Ju Ju Be B.F. F. This is not the print I have but I LOVE it. It has tons of room, can be a backpack or a messenger style, has compartments for not only the child but for me! and I NEVER lose anything in it. (Usually...haha).

After that, It's usually based on what the parents have for bottles, nuks, toys, etc. But I always try to bring my own burp rag, dirty diaper disposable bags, baby wipes, and food grade, people safe, disinfectant wipes that I always keep in the bag.

I hope this helps for some babysitters out there, or  some parents! Stay tuned for my toddler edition (12 mts plus) as well as my overnight edition coming in the next day or so :)

Hope everyone is having a GREAT day!!

 

2013 New Years Resolutions

So, like everyone else on the planet, I am making new years resolutions...I am PRAYING that I actually keep these.

1. Lose 100 lbs. I am SO UNHEALTHY...and I don't even feel like I am in my own body anymore and it is horrible. Posting my before pic...

So basically I am approx 250 lbs...way too much for my body frame, age, etc. My goal is to be 150, give or take 10 lbs.
My plan? This...


1. Drink water, LOTS of water
2. http://fuckyeahmovieworkouts.tumblr.com/post/23768664318/supernatural-workout-want-to-see-more-workouts

Starting with supernatural...and moving on to bones, american horror story, harry potter, and other various tv shows and movies that I am in love with.
3. Work out at least 4 times a week at planet fitness

Hopefully this works...I cannot stand to look at that picture anymore and know that is how I look.







Onto number 2...
Get into a study routine, and get at least all B's if not all A's this semester (pretty self explanatory).


After that...Not exactly sure yet but that's a good start :)