Here’s hoping everyone had a Halloween blast this weekend!  Here’s a couple photos of our Halloween night.  I stopped into Holiday Salon and saw Misha to get some devil eyes and fake lashes on Saturday – going into my 3rd straight pregnant Halloween I just didn’t have the creative energy for a costume.  But let me tell you how great it was to have my eyes done!  So fun to step out of mom world for a sec (kids were napping, dad was at home), have makeup put on at 1:00 that lasted through the evening, and have everything stay in place the whole night – no touch ups needed! Even my husband was impressed…I’m quickly rethinking upcoming Holiday parties, important birthdays etc…

Hayden wore Addie’s chicken costume from last year – and OOOOHHH those squishy cheeks just killed me!  If only you could see when she flapped her wings!!

Addie wanted nothing to do with her spider costume – I’ve heard a few moms were in the midst of the costume battle with their “under 2′s”…this little 19 mos old wanted no part if it, so we SUPER quick, came up with a SUPER Girl from her closet.  Off she went with her “bestest” neighbor friend hand in hand looking for treats…melt my heart in cuteness!!

So enough about our Halloween night and onto Monday’s post…..

I thought I might try to showcase some of the favorites for those that are short on time and can’t visit the Favorites Gallery.

Here are a few things from the Baby Gallery that we CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT!!

Best high chair! I’m not big on a ton of “baby things” around the house…I know, I’m a snob. But if I can find things that can fit in with the decor AND that my kids like, I’m all in! Phil & Ted’s MeToo! Travel Highchair is perfect. Hayden has been using it since she was about 4 months, and Addie at 19 mos still uses it. I actually just ordered a second one. It clamps down like a vice without hurting the table or counter surface, and easily unclamps to wash up! Just throw it in the sink and wash down, what could be easier!?? We also travel quite a bit and because it is basically flat when not in use, it packs perfectly in your suitcase to use just about anywhere. LOVE IT!

We could not live without this sound machine. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s ohhh so true!! We have an old Sharper Image one in Addie’s room that you can no longer buy…so when Hayden was born I SCOURED the stores and online to find something comparable….enter Tranquil Moments White Noise Sound Machine. LOVE this machine! We have wood floors in our house, so sound travels and echos; and besides our house, as you’ll read throughout this site, we travel a ton. I never wanted our kids to need a “perfect” place to take a nap or go to bed at night, however, we also need them to sleep. We have found that sound machines keep them from being woken up by each other, from noisy hotel neighbors, from us walking in and out of their rooms, from UPS deliveries, etc. In my mind I hope it’s teaching them to NEED noise to sleep. (And I think it’s working since we can run a lawn mower outside their windows at nap time! Goodness knows, we have A LOT of noise around here!)

I did not have the blessing of being able to nurse our girls. Long story that I wont go into, but needless to say we have made (and still do make) A LOT of formula. When Addie was first born, I used the ready made Enfamil, so easy! Until Hubby decided the upkeep was not going to work on the budget (spoil sport), enter quickly, powdered formula, and OOOOHHH the lumps and mess. Prayers were answered however when I found the Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher, it made the formula making task a breeze. Have you had a baby on any kind of sensitive formula??? (We do with Hayden) It’s even worse than regular powder, not sure we would have survived these formula years without this mixer. Because formula is good for 24 hours from the time you make it, we just make up a nice big pitcher each morning and we are good to go for the day. Easy to make, easy to wash, easy to use. As a side note, the pitcher is BPA free, and that just puts the icing on the cake!

I love this tote and clutch! Halsea has the most fun patterns and super helpful products! You get to feel stylish AND be functional! The Large Tote has been a life saver this summer. It has traveled with us countless times to the pool, beach and to both sets of grandparents homes. There are a ton of very helpful pockets surrounding the interior of the bag, and a nice BIG open space in the center for anything your heart desires. LOVE IT! And the Clutch has been it’s own little lifesaver. You know those times when you just want to run into the store sans baby, er, I mean sans diaper bag. You grab the babe, pop the second babe in the cart, grab your wallet, keys and phone. Now juggle all 5 things while you just pick up 1 gallon of milk. Not fun! The clutch took the place of my wallet and can hold the keys and phone, along with lollipops, checkbook , etc. So now I have this darling clutch in my diaper bag that I can grab at a moments notice (including dinner with the hubby or my girlfriends) and not worry about carrying 1 more extra thing! Loving you Halsea for making life so much simpler and chic!

Last but not least, Hyland Teething Tabs are a gift from Heaven!  REALLY not sure we would have lived through teething without them.  They are homeopathic so you can feel better about giving them to your kids.  And unlike Tylenol and Motrin, they work in an INSTANT!  So good to know baby is out of pain and YOU can maintain sanity!  These always sell out at CVS and I have not seen at Rite Aid.  There is a big display at Mothers Market and I make sure I have quite a few around the house (like a bottle in EVERY ROOM and DIAPER BAG…).  Now that I’ve found on Amazon with free shuper saver shipping, I’m stocking up online.

Hope these favorites help and find a place in your home!  Would love to hear about any “can’t live withouts” that your family has.  I’ll tell you one product you wont find in the Baby Gallery is a diaper pail…I have never been overly pleased with any of them.  We have the Diaper Dekor in both nurseries, but loved it a whole lot more with the old bags…so if you know a FABULOUS one, please let me know!

Hope you all have a great week and enjoy your extra hour.   See you tomorrow!