Author: coldcoffeewithkids

Everything but the kitchen sink…What’s in my diaper bag?

coldcoffeewithkids

Now that we have two small kids, it feels like every time we leave to go somewhere it can feel like we pack up half of our house to bring with us. But what do we really need to bring and what are extras? Here are examples of what we bring with us on our different adventures!

Tidbit: When you come home from somewhere unload and repack your diaper bag right away. That way if you need to leave in a hurry you’re all ready to go without stressing and rushing to get everything ready.

*Diaper bag reviews to come in a future post so keep an eye out*

Diaper Bag Essentials for Everyday:

                           *Affiliate links attached*

All ages:

  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Changing pad: My favorite is the Snoofybee, it’s genius!  https://amzn.to/2MyJ4Sm
  • Change of clothes: I usually make a complete outfit and then roll it together.
  • Plastic bags for dirty diapers or dirty clothes to go in.
  • Baby sun hat or winter hat depending on the season/weather.
  • Blanket: Aden and Anais are our go-to. Lightweight, durable and a good size for many uses. https://amzn.to/2PbhrM

Kids over 4 months old:

  • A book: Industructables are lightweight, colorful, machine washable, durable and cost efficient. https://amzn.to/2Nu3OHz
  • A finger puppet or two. https://amzn.to/2BWbUHm (I’d check Target first though because the set of just the puppets are only $4.99 there if they are in stock).
  • Snacks: pouches, dried fruit, puffs in a twistable/tall snack container. This can be shoved into the side drink pocket of a diaper bag. https://amzn.to/2PddtT0
  • Extra socks
  • Water for baby: Our fav is the Klean Kanteen with two spouts: a sippy cup one and the regular spout one. Super durable (we have a “thrower” so this is super important that we don’t buy things that break easily.)   https://amzn.to/2PKPnQE
  • A special toy that’s only for going out: this will SAVE you in many situations. Distraction is key! We have used bubbles, a new car toy, a ball, or rattle.

For Mama’s Using formula:

  • Water bottle of baby’s water: whatever you used. We just used sink water that was filtered through our PUR filter. https://amzn.to/2PbCyxG
  • Enough formula for how long you’ll be gone plus an extra (you never know when that next growth spurt will happen!)
  • An extra nipple for the bottle: in case one gets dirty/lost/has a hole/etc.
  • Travel size baby dish soap: again, you never know when you’ll need this. Put this one in a plastic ziplock!

For Nursing Mama’s: 

  • Extra nursing pads
  • Nursing cover: Personally I like one that goes completely around my torso, less chance of tummy/back peeking out if I am not wearing a nursing tank. https://amzn.to/2NtCjxt

Mama’s stuff:

Things we leave in the car in a bin:

  • Extra diapers and wipes
  • Extra set of clothes for baby
  • Sweatshirt or jacket for baby
  • Sweater or jacket for Mom (I’m always cold)
  • Extra snack (one that can stand the heat/cold well and won’t go bad).
  • Picnic blanket
  • Winter blanket (cold weather)
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Umbrella: this one is clear and you can tuck yourself and the Littles under it easily. https://amzn.to/2wr5DgZ
  • A few books and toys
  • Baby sunglasses: OMG I love these! https://amzn.to/2BWew88
  • Baby headphone protection: Our middle baby slept through a wedding reception with these at 3 months old. https://amzn.to/2BRbqCm
  • Ergo/carrier for each little kid: Lillebaby: https://amzn.to/2BSqZKf         Ergo: https://amzn.to/2BV0AeF

Occasionally you’ll need more items depending on where you’re going. Here are some things we’ve used for random adventures that require extra stuff:

Overall you have to decide what things you can’t live without. Also figure out if you want the extra stuff to be prepared or if you’re okay with not having every baby convenience luxury at your fingertips. I lean towards the ‘less is more’ theory most of the time, but do like to be prepared. So we usually bring a few ‘extras’ that we might need, but not them all.

Happy packing, have fun on your adventures and don’t forget your coffee…even if it’s cold!

Strollers aren’t just for kids: Stroller Reviews

coldcoffeewithkids

I often see posts looking for recommendations on what baby gear is the best and I totally get it, those baby stores are stupidly huge overwhelming to say the least, even when you know what you’re looking for. When you stand there and are confronted with 50 different strollers it’s hard to know where to start. And that’s just the strollers! And let me tell you that strollers aren’t just for strapping the kids in to get hopefully in one piece with all your stuff from Point A to Point B. Mama’s have needs for strollers too: Diaper bag storage, cup holder (for that cold coffee), phone pocket, bag hooks and maneuverability.

So let me break it down with some of the strollers I’ve used both as a Mama and a Nanny: the Pros and Cons.

*Affiliate links included for each stroller, feel free to check them out!*

Keep in mind that many of these you can find for great prices used online if you’re looking to save some money and don’t mind being the second owner. For all of our strollers we are the second owners and they have held up well.

City Select/LUX:

Pros:

  • Most versatile and the one I would give the highest points overall.
  • Can be used with one seat, one seat and standing board, two seats or two seats and a standing board: that’s up to three kids you can load up at the same time!
  • Streamline and easy to push and maneuver overall.
  • The seats can face forward or backwards, towards each other or away from each other (BONUS points here!!).
  • Has accessories to pair with it: cup holders, rain shields, bug nets, bassinets, car seat adapters, standing board, etc.

Cons:

  • You have to take this sucker apart every time you use it in order for it to not take up your entire trunk, or to even fit in the trunk if in the double stroller combination. That’s a lot of free floating pieces that have fallen out of the trunk on me numerous times. I have heard the LUX seats fold and fit better when attached though.
  • It can get heavy to push if you have a bigger kid over the front wheels and/or have multiple kids riding. Definitely becomes a two handed job (makes it hard to walk and drink your cold coffee).
  • Can get expensive quickly depending on how many accessories you decide to use with it. The stroller usually comes with just the frame and a seat, so any extra attachments/accessories/seat kit will all cost extra.

Affliliate Links:

City select single: https://amzn.to/2MvehWF

City select double: https://amzn.to/2BXHvsu

City Select LUX: https://amzn.to/2oarMwj

City Select LUX double: https://amzn.to/2PDfAAG

City Mini/City Mini GT:

  • An overall great stroller that just pops up and is ready to roll.
  • Easy to maneuver both the single and double versions with kids in it, especially the GT edition.
  • Although it’s a side-by-side stroller it fits through any standard size door. Even been using this one for months now and have never run into a door we don’t fit through.
  • Has many different accessories that can be used to customize it: bassinet, car seat adapters, rain covers, etc.
  • Standing board can also fit with this version, allowing your older kiddo to ride along too.

Cons:

  • Can get expensive quickly when buying the accessories also.
  • Only one bassinet/car seat adapter can be attached to this at a time, so it might be better for multiples if you don’t plan on using the bassinets or car seat attachments or for when they are older.
  • Takes up a fair amount of trunk space even though it folds relatively flat.

Affliliate Links: 

City mini single: https://amzn.to/2PEvWsE

City mini gt single: https://amzn.to/2PFYYIp

City mini double: https://amzn.to/2PBOHgF

City mini double gt: https://amzn.to/2MvbUTH

BOB Jogging Stroller:

  • Best maneuverability for any size kiddo! Easy to load up with kids/lunch bags/diaper bag and still rolls smoothly with one hand. (Love taking this one for the zoo or arboretum).
  • You can fit a bigger kid on the front footrest if you have an older kiddo that only needs an occasional ride.
  • Front wheel can lock for runs and is a very smooth push. It also has the cord with loop to use while running or going down hills for extra safety/security.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t fold up well AT ALL! I have put one of our back seats of the Pilot down in order to fit this in the trunk at all.
  • You will also probably want to purchase a cup holder/stroller organizer for the handle.

Affiliate Links:

BOB Revolution Single: https://amzn.to/2PG6Fi3

BOB Revolution Double: https://amzn.to/2ocs4mv

Britax B Ready:

  • Full disclosure: This one didn’t last very long in our house but I wanted to review it anyway because many people love theirs!
  • Has the ability to become a two seater stroller, with bassinet, car seat attachment, and stand board options: very versatile!
  • Folds up pretty well in the back of a car, although we didn’t have it for very long so I can’t remember how well it fit in our trunk.

Cons:

  • Personally I was not a fan of the fact that the second seat sits under the parent handle bar/console. I just felt like I was going to spill my coffee/drink on their head if I went over a bump.
  • You’ll also want to buy the parent console organizer, and any accessories you want to buy with it will add up quickly so that’s an added cost.

Affiliate Link:

Britax B Ready single: https://amzn.to/2MUJBxe

Second seat kit: https://amzn.to/2PGEIXi

Contours Optima Double Stroller:

  • This is the most cost efficient alternative to the City Select and still works very well!
  • Great if you already have two kids who will be riding in a stroller for a while.
  • Great basket underneath and sturdy, attached parent console.
  • Seats can face inward, outward, forward or backwards like the City select.
  • Longer frame than the city select, which allows for more leg room and space between kids, but still easy to push.
  • Folds up well with both seats attached and can fit in the trunk, although takes up most of the space.

Cons:

  • Very long if you only want to put one seat on it and looks silly without both seats on.
  • Not many attachments/accessories to customize with.

Affiliate Link:  https://amzn.to/2BRDJRc

Other strollers I have heard good things about but haven’t personally owned or have enough experience to review:

(Affiliate links included)

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Irish Twins…for the win!

coldcoffeewithkids

Recently (May 27th to be exact) we have just become the proud parents of Irish twins (in addition to my ten year old stepson). For those of you who don’t know what Irish twins are, they are two babies born within the same calendar year or within 52 weeks of each other.

Our first baby was born June 2. Our second baby was born May 27. They are 51 weeks apart (just barely made that Irish Twin label!)

Life, to say the least, has been quite busy since then. Between juggling two babies in the middle of the night, during/after baths, and just making it through those first few days, we have learned so much. But are winging it most of the time! Let me not forget to mention that I run a home daycare too so these aren’t the only Littles who fill my days. On those days when I have four kids under the age of four, I run mostly on fumes, shoveling food in my face when I remember to eat and refilling my coffee (which is usually cold- does the Blog name makes sense yet?!)

Between juggling two babies, working, being a taxi and wondering when I’ll get to sleep more than a 5 hour stretch again I have learned one very important lesson: The days are long but the years are short my friends. Savor every second. Every moment of crying because your baby needs you (one day they’ll be all grown up and gone), the mess, the stress and the calm. Love your short-comings because they are opportunities for growth and be thankful for your strengths. 

And enjoy your coffee. Even if it’s cold.

The Journey Begins

coldcoffeewithkids

Hey there!

My name is Jessie and this is my journey! I wear many hats each day: Mama to Irish Twins, StepMama, Wife, Nanny, Soccer Taxi and Fan, Friend, Daughter, Christian, Stroller enthusiast, Watcher of the Rain, Coffee lover…and most recently blogger!

Stay tuned for tidbits, advice and stories!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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