What you REALLY need for Baby!

When I first found out I was pregnant, after the shock of actually being pregnant wore off, the shock of all things I would have to have for her set in. Friends of mine took me to register because what first-time mom really knows what you need? When I walked into BuyBuyBaby, my thoughts were..."are you kidding me?"

If you ever plan to raise a baby in your lifetime, I hope to save some of the minor heart flutters I endured after walking into BuyBuyBaby and seeing all of the things "I just HAD to have". Contrary to popular belief, you can raise a baby on a few key things and though some things are nice luxury things to have for baby, they aren't necessarily necessary ;-)

Here's what we found super useful for Brooklynn in her first few months of life! 

1. SnotSucker by NoseFrieda- Okay. Every time I talk to someone about this little gadget I get the most discusting looks. It's not as bad as it sounds. Brooklynn didn't get sick until about 7 1/2 months so this is a new purchase for us though I had heard people rave about it prior to us buying it. You stick one end in your baby's nose and you suck the snot out. Don't freak...there's a filter and it doesn't get in your mouth. So, toss those aspirators they give you at the hospital (they did nothing for us!) and pick up one of these because they work WONDERS!

2. Footie PJ's - This kinda goes without saying. You'll want footie-pajamas for your baby BUT I prefer the button up ones. Now most people like the ones that just zip down the front (like my husband) and yes, those are way easier, but when you're changing your babies diapers in the middle of the night (it was winter in our case), the button ones allow you to change your baby without their whole body being exposed. They can stay warm by just unbuttoning the bottom :)

3. Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets - We did not use these to swaddle Brooklynn. I will talk about that in a second. We actually bought these around 4M because I wanted a blanket for her that she could put in her mouth (because that's where everything goes) without fleece and fuzzies coming off, in which case gave her hairballs. I don't know why I waited so long to purchase these. They're perfect for covering your car seat (if you do that kinda thing...we never did), or to just cover them up at night. They're also perfect and big enough for nursing in public if you prefer that, too (I'm not that brave). Plus, she LOVES them. 

4. Munchkin bottle brush - Pretty explanatory. Use it to this day. Perfect for cleaning out the small brush nipples.

5. SwaddleMe - I recommend these as baby shower gifts. My mother-in-love bought these for us when Brooklynn was born and let me tell you...life saver. Brooklynn, from day one, broke out of her blanket swaddles. Plus, who wants to spend 10 minutes trying to swaddle their baby back after a 3AM feeding? Not me.

6.Homedics Sound Machine - Not JUST this sound machine...but any sound machine in general. It gives you the freedom to be able to sit down without worrying you'll wake the baby. Plus, the projector is pretty cool, too...though that part just went out on us :-/

7. Video Monitor - We have a Lorex which I found on zulily. We love our video monitor. The only con to this specific one is that I have to manually go in and move the camera if she gets out of view. I've heard great reviews on the Motorola monitor, though! I just don't know how anyone lives without being able to see their baby. Ahh, modern technology.

8. Eddie Baur Mirror - Again, any mirror for your rear-facing traveler is so helpful!!

9. Aden & Anais Burp Bibs- I LOVED these! They're huge because we all know that spit up (and vomit in our case) doesn't just land in a little puddle, it gets everywhere. These are great for burping and now great just as a bib.

10. Boppy - These things are a must! I STILL use mine for Brooklynn's morning and nighttime nursing sessions. Even if you don't plan on nursing your babe, I used mine for the first two weeks after leaving the hospital to SIT ON! It saved my life.

11. Swing + Bouncer combo- YOU NEED THIS! Brooklynn slept in a swing for the first 4-months of her life because she had reflux and wouldn't sleep laying flat. The only thing I would recommend is finding a bouncer that you don't have to manually bounce. That gets old :)

I know this was lengthy but I hope it was helpful. Happy baby shopping!

#SweetDreams

As we press on in our #SweetDreams series, we focus on being wise. Some of us go through life without a game plan. You can often tell when an athletic team goes onto the court/field without a game plan and it's not pretty. As Christians, our walk should have purpose & thought behind every step we take. So, how do we do that?

• Want examples of people who made bad decisions yet overcame them? Look to the Bible.

WAKE UP, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:14-17

• A WISE person follows the LORD's wisdom and a FOOL follows his own wisdom.
• God doesn't want you to be scared of Him but have a respect for Him.

What is wise in God's eyes?

Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

• Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming back tomorrow! When we sin, we waste our lives! But when we follow Christ, we make most of our lives!
• Just because you've made mistakes, you aren't defined as a failure.

GOD'S WORD = GOD'S WILL

You can't make the RIGHT decisions hanging around the WRONG crowd in the WRONG places!

#SweetDreams

 Last night was the first message in our new series, #SweetDreams. We are talking about what keeps you up at night? Last night was "worry". Let's be honest, we are all worry-worts at one time or another.

The opposite of trusting in God is worrying. Worrying leads to stress but trusting in God leads to rest.

When we worry, it gives small problems a big shadow.

So, what will help you sleep at night? God's word. We will toss & turn until we learn to be still and & pray.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

We worry so much because we pray so little. When we pray much, we will worry little.

Prayer is the cure for worry. When we pray, we tell God that He is strong enough, good enough, and near.

Anxiety weighs down the heart. Proverbs 12:25

Worship kills worry.

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Psalm 116:164 **Try it** Information + Application = Transformation 

God not only takes away your sin, but He can take away your worry. You will never have peace if you never have Jesus.

7 Months!

Weight: 14.9 lbs

Diaper Size: 2s during the day & 3s at night. She had been wetting the bed every night and my genius friend Ginny suggested going up a size a night (thank you ;)

Clothing size: 6-9M

Eye Color: Blue

Favorite Toy: Mirrors!

Sleeping Habits: I think we may have a winning schedule going. For the beginning of the month, we still weren't sleeping much. However now, she's been getting in about 2 good 1-2 hr naps a day and an occasional cat nap in the early evening. She's also been sleeping from about 8pm (when we are home...an occasional 9-10pm bedtime when we are out) until about 8AM. Occasionally she will wake up around 2AM but go back to sleep fairly easily.

Words: Mama...actually it's just "mamamamama" Haha!

Best Moments: SLEEPING finally :-)

Hard Moments: Her poor bathroom skills. It's so painful to watch her go poop. She's not quite used to the solid poop yet!

Fun Info: Brooklynn is so attentive. She pays attention to everything and watches everyone. She's sure to make you feel self conscious about yourself. She tries so hard to scoot and get places but just can't and that frustrates her so much! She loves peek-a-boo and anyone that will give her the littlest bit of attention. She'd rather eat table food than her own food. She's started drinking some water and loves it! Her favorite foods are: sweet potatoes, fruit, & anything sweet (like her daddy) She also for some reason finds excitement in watching tennis...haven't figured that one out yet. She loves being bounced and thrown in the air...basically just keep her moving and she's a happy camper. 

Take Two

In our series at Alive, Take Two, we've seen God do immeasurably more than we could have ever imagined...in such a little time. If you've missed any of the messages from this series, I can catch you up :)

Week 2
Most people live by this motto: "I can do whatever I want, live however I want to, because of grace." Grace has become people's excuse to sin. Grace should give us a desire for holy living not an excuse to keep on sinning. 

Grace isn't our license to do as we please but it gives us the power to live as we should.

A changed life appreciates grace. Why play with something Jesus died for?

When you're a Christian, sin shouldn't fit you. It should be uncomfortable.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20

Week 3

On our worst days, God still gives us grace.

Our response to God's grace should be our obedience to His ways. No human could ever do for us what He has already done for us! God doesn't want us to oney Him because He said so but because it's our response to His love & grace.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:!1

No one is excluded from God's grace.

Grace = what everyone needs, no one can earn, and only God can give. 

When you say "no" to sin, you are saying "yes" to God!

Our greatest motivation is what He's done.

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

Grace is FREE but not a license to do as we please!

What will you do in response to what He's done for you?

In the past three weeks at Alive, we've seen 120 students, 61 new faces,  5 SALVATIONS, & 3 REDEDICATIONS!