"Must Haves" for a 1st Time Mom & My 4.5 Month Old

I did an Essentials for the First 3 Months post a little while ago but I wanted to post some of my favorite things I use on a daily basis now. Cali is almost 5 months old (I have no idea where the time went) and over the last 2 months we've gotten rid of of some things and added some things. I use every single one of these items on a daily basis; most of them multiple times a day. They're what I consider "can't-live-withouts". 

 So here they are:

1. A versatile bag - I, personally, use the Michael Kors Kempton (pictured above). It's big enough, has tons of pockets on the inside, and is made of washable fabric. Plus, it's cute enough that on the (rare) dress up occasion it'll look good with my outfit.

2. Baby K'Tan - I mentioned this in my essentials post but I'm putting it here again. The Baby K'Tan is, by far, my most used item. I have flown with her in it and they don't even make you take your child out of it. If she's in a "needs to be held" mood, I can plop her in this thing and still clean the house. I. Love. This.

3. A good  great blanket - I'm sort of obsessed with blankets and this Candy Kirby Designs Organic Cotton Cozy Blanket is our new favorite. I know I've blogged about it here before but I couldn't make a favorites list without adding this one to it. We use it every second of every day and I'm sure you've noticed that it shows up in a lot (OK, all) of the pictures we take. I believe (don't quote me on this) that she's redesigned this particular one but whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be just as amazing. It's more than worth it!

3. Charlie Banana Wipes - I'm not sure what you wipe your kid's butt with but might I suggest these? Cali has super sensitive skin and cloth wipes are the only kind that don't irritate her. I have a few different brands but these are the best. I simply soak them in water with a couple of drops of Dr. Bronner's and take them with me everywhere.

4. Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap - Speaking of Dr. Bronner's... I use this for, well, everything. Aside from her wipes, I add a couple of drops of lavender oil to it for her shampoo and body wash. It comes in a lot of different scents but I use the baby unscented because of her aforementioned sensitive skin.

5. Jenny Jump-Up - This is fairly new to our arsenal but Cali has taken a quick liking to it. She's at the stage where she wants to go somewhere but can't quite do it yet. When she's in this thing, she can turn around and jump with no help from me and that makes her a very happy girl. Stubborn and independent...

So there you have it. It's not much but traveling with baseball like we do, less is better. These are the things I absolutely couldn't live without.

Hope you found them useful :)

50 Things I Want to Teach My Daughter

1. Dumbing yourself down isn't cute. Embrace knowledge.
2. Respect your body. You can't ask someone else to if you don't.
3. Modest is hottest. 
4. Be brave. Try new things and don't be afraid to fail.
5. No matter what you do or where you go, your dad and I will always be here.
6. Despite what the world tells you, a kiss is special. Save it for someone who believes that too.
7. Don't tell someone that you love them until you're 100% sure you know what that means. Love is forever.
8. Always admit when you're wrong. We learn from our mistakes.
9. It's OK to have regrets. We learn from those too. 
10. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
11. Be quick to give a smile. It could brighten someone's day.
12. Always forgive. Nothing is unforgivable.
13. Read lots and lots of books. Both for learning and for pleasure.
14. Take school seriously. There will come a day when you'll wish you'd worked harder.
15. Don't do things just because others are doing them. Be bold enough to go against the flow.
16. Figure out why you believe what you say you believe in. Be ready to defend it to anyone that asks.
17. Feelings are OK but they're also not a solid foundation for our choices. Use both your knowledge of right and wrong and your gut to determine your course of action.
18. Never speak out of anger. Once something is said, it can't be unsaid.
19. You have no idea what others are going through. Be kind.
20. If your friends make fun of you for standing for what you believe is right, they're not your friends.
21. Don't ever make a life decision based on a boy. 
22. Also, don't let your emotions be determined by the relationship you're in. Find your joy in the fact that you're a child of God.
23. We can't control what others do or say but we can control our own actions. 
24. Love everyone without expecting anything in return.
25. Always say thank you to those that extend help.
26. Work hard and do everything to the best of your ability. As long as you give it your all, I'll be proud no matter what the outcome.
27. Material things will come and go but happiness in life is your decision.
28. No one is beneath you. Be humble.
29. You're going to make mistakes; that's expected. Forgive yourself and move on.
30. Find things that you enjoy doing and spend a lot of time doing them.
31. When you are greeting someone, look them in the eye and give a firm handshake.
32. Don't use your body and/or your looks to get attention. If someone doesn't like you without those things, they're not worth your time.
33. It's OK if we don't see eye to eye. You don't have to be just like me.
34. If someone points out a personality flaw in you, take a moment to step back and see if they're right. If they are, work hard to change it. If they're not, move on.
35. Sometimes we have to do things in life that we don't want to do. Get over it.
36. Be independent but don't be afraid to show your weaknesses. There is power and freedom in being honest and real.
37. Good friends are hard to come by. When you find them, make time to keep them in your life.
38. Don't live life out of fear. Make bold decisions and be confident enough to go higher. If you fall, it's OK. You'll always have a place to come back to.
39. Think about the consequences of your actions before you make them. Don't make dumb decisions for instant gratification.
40. "A wise man learns from his mistakes. An even wiser man learns from the mistakes of others."
41. You are capable of doing hard things. The reward is worth the effort.
42. You are beautiful. 
43. Find pleasure in the little things.
44. Develop the ability to laugh at yourself.
45. Everyone in life has different abilities and talents. "Don't compare your outtakes to someone else's highlight reel"
46. Don't stress. God will come through for you.
47. Enjoy the outdoors. Nothing is more beautiful than God's handiwork.
48. Guard your heart. There will come a day when a worthy man (that has been pre-approved by your father and me!) will ask for your hand in marriage. You'll want to be able to give him all of your heart and not just what's left of it.
49. God has been gracious enough to give you an earthly body. Take care of it with discipline and self-control. Be respectful of the gift He's given you.
50. Accept God's grace. We'll never earn it, live up to it, deserve it, or be able to repay it. That's OK. Love Him with your entire being and accept the gift of Jesus.