Benjamin's Essentials

Skip Hop Zoo Plate: These plates are adorable and easy to use now that Ben is eating solid foods and wanting to feed himself. They come in a bunch of really cute animal faces and bright colors. 

Nordstrom Baby Romper: Even though I don't dress Ben in onesies anymore when we go out, I still love putting him in one if we are at home or to sleep in at night. Nordstrom Baby has such cute basics like this onesie and they are always 100% cotton and super soft and comfortable to put your baby in. 

Noodles & Boo: I have used both the '2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash' and the 'Super Soft Lotion' ever since Ben was born and they are hands down my favorite shampoo, baby wash and lotion! The body wash and shampoo combo is really convenient because I can use just one product to wash his hair and body and it is super sensitive so I don't have to worry about it getting in his eyes. The lotion is just as wonderful--I'm really picky about lotions because they are either too thick, they don't smell great or they don't absorb into your skin very well and this is one of my favorites in terms of how it just sinks into your skin and leaves it super soft, just like the name says. I actually use this lotion for myself most days. And not to mention, both products smell amazing--not overly perfumey, just that perfect newborn baby smell.  

Baby Gap Triple Roll Socks: I love almost anything at Baby Gap because they have really cute clothes that are great quality, and they have sales all the time so I can usually get really good deals. These socks are the best because they stay on really well. I know a lot of moms have trouble finding socks that will stay on during the day and even with Ben running around all the time, these never come off. And they have little grippies on the bottoms which are nice when Ben is walking around on smooth surfaces.

Nordstrom Baby Blanket: We have tons of blankets from when Ben was first born, but this is definitely my favorite one and I use it almost every day when we are out and about. It is nice because it is thick and warm, without being bulky, and it is really soft and comfy. When Ben was first born I always used the Aden and Anais swaddling blankets which I love and are great for swaddling and layering, but now that Ben is past the swaddling stage, this is my go-to blanket for him. 

Ralph Lauren Cotton Polo: These polos are one of my favorite items in Ben's wardrobe because they are super easy to throw on, but they're just a little more dressed up than a basic tee shirt. And they are so handsome for a little boy. He has both the long-sleeve and short-sleeve versions and wears them year-round. They're really cute to layer under sweaters during the fall and winter months as well. 

Sperry Top-Sider 'Halyard' Crib Shoe: When Ben was about nine months old I started looking for shoes for him and nothing would fit over his chubby little feet! I finally found these at Nordstrom and they are awesome because you can unstrap them as much as you need to fit a chubby baby foot inside and then just strap them on. They also stay on really well so I'm never having to adjust them or worry about them slipping off. 

LifeFactory Bottle: I absolutely love these bottles because they are functional and look so cute. I love the glass because it is BPA-free and I feel like glass always look more clean than plastic. The rubber sleeve protects the bottle from breaking if you drop it and it also helps babies grip the bottle more easily. Ben just switched from the 4 oz. size to the 9 oz. size, but both are easy to throw in your bag and go. I can't say enough good things about these bottles!

Sophie la Girafe: This has been one of our favorite teething toys for Ben because she is soft, easy for a baby to hold and pretty darn cute. 

'Guess How Much I Love You' Book: Even when Benjamin was only a few months old, he has always been intrigued with books and loves being read to. I always make sure we have a few books wherever we go--it's a great way to keep him happy when we're out and about, but more importantly, I hope that with exposure to books early on, he will learn to love books and reading at a young age. 

Munchkin 'Soft-Tip Infant Spoons': These spoons are great because they are soft on a baby's mouth and gums, plus the bright colors are fun and cute. This is another item I usually keep in my bag so I can use them when we're out as well as at home. 

OXO Snack Container: These little square containers are great for packing snacks to take with us. The lid is easy to snap on and off, but secure enough that I can throw a couple in my purse without worrying if they will come open and make a mess. 

Cloud B 'Sleep Sheep' Stuffed Animal: We love what we refer to as "the sheep" in our house. As soon as Ben falls asleep for the night, we turn this little guy on to help block out any other sounds. There are four very soothing sound options to pick from: ocean, rain, whale sounds or a babbling stream. Ben's favorite is the "ocean" option, but all are great for creating a soothing, peaceful background for your sleeping baby. 

I love finding out about other moms' favorite and "must-have" products, so if you have any you'd like to share, please leave a comment below! Hope you are having a great week and thanks for reading!