Fisher-Price Precious Planet Projection Mobile

I have been using the Fisher-Price Precious Planet Projection Mobile for over 9 months now for my daughter and we both love it.  It has a variety of sounds and songs for her to fall asleep to as well as adorable animals for her to watch above, including images that are projected on the canopy/ceiling.  Fisher-Price is a dependable brand and this is a very well made product.  I especially love the remote control; if baby is not sleeping by the time the mobile turns itself off (about 20 minutes after you turn it on) you can reset it with the remote without letting baby see you, so as to not disturb her (or let her think it's time to get up!)

The Summer Infant SwaddleMe Adjustable Infant Wrap

For anyone who is looking to purchase a great swaddle, I would highly recommend Summer Infant's SwaddleMe.  It is so easy to use and my baby loved it!

My firstborn did not like to be swaddled at all but I thought I would try it this past summer from the start with my daughter as I'd heard that for some babies, it can mean (gasp!) sleeping 4 or more hour stretches right from the beginning; babies feel more secure while swaddled because it mimics the feeling they had in the womb and it reduces or eliminates waking from the startle reflex (a response that newborns have until they are 3-5 months old - they respond to a feeling of sudden loss of support; their arms flail back and this is what generally wakes them from sleep).  There are also some studies that suggest that correct swaddling may reduce the risk of SIDS.  So, before my baby was born, I was equipped myself with an arsenal of different swaddles and proceeded to try them all upon bringing her home.  I was pleased to find that this was the type that she (and we) preferred.

Graco's Quattro Tour Duo Double Stroller

When I found out that I was pregnant with my second baby I immediately started shopping for double strollers.  I love strollers.  I love researching strollers and I love buying strollers.  As a mom of two and a daycare provider I have now owned 8 different strollers.  And you know what?  I have loved buying and using all of them.  I guess I have a thing for strollers... 

Overview
The Graco Quattro Tour Duo double stroller was an obvious choice for me after doing a bit of research because:  It was a brand that I knew and trusted, it had good reviews (yes, I do my research and read LOTS of reviews before committing to a product) and it possessed many of the features that were important to me as a soon to be mom of two.  You can find this stroller online and at major baby product retailers for between $210 and $260.

Summer Infant's BabyTouch Color Video Monitor

In my search for a new digital video monitor this past year I purchased and returned quite a few models before deciding that Summer Infant's BabyTouch Color Video Monitor was the best on the market right now.  I have been extremely happy with it so far and have used it countless hours in the last 9 months.

Overview
The BabyTouch Color Video Monitor can be found online and at major baby product retailers such as Babies R Us and Target for around $240.  For this price you get the handheld monitoring device and one color video camera.  You can add up to 3 more additional cameras that you sync with the handheld monitor for approximately $90 each.  It is a digital system with great video clarity and clear sound compared to other comparable systems on the market.

The BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance

After having used quite a few different infant bouncy chairs, the BabyBjorn Babysitter is by far the best I've used and can be utilized far longer than any other bouncy chair out there. I love it!

An Awesome Chair for Baby
The Babysitter Balance is a chair meant to be used from the time your child is a newborn through toddlerhood.  It folds flat (4" high) and is very lightweight so it is easily transportable.  It has three different height settings - your baby can be laying practically flat or when she is older she can be close to vertical to see what everyone's doing around her. 

Wearing Baby: The ERGObaby

After doing a lot of research I decided to buy the ERGObaby when my second baby was about 3 months old. I am so glad I did, it is an awesome carrier and is so comfortable!

Overview
The ERGObaby is a baby carrier that is designed to enable you to comfortably carry babies/toddlers from the time they are newborns through 45 pounds. It is available in many fashionable colors as well as organic materials. It's so incredibly comfortable for babies and mom and dad that it really lives up to his name! 

Wearing Baby: The Moby Wrap

I wore my first baby occasionally but since I had my second child in June I fell in love with baby wearing and decided that a great carrier/wearing apparatus is a must have.

Overview of the Moby
For newborns to approximately 4 months or so I think the Moby is the best option. It is, essentially, a long piece of stretchy cotton that you wrap strategically around yourself creating snuggly pockets for your infant. There are multiple options for different holds for your baby; my favorite was the "newborn hug hold" and then as she got bigger the "hug hold."