Best Baby Products 6-12 months

My first installment of favorite baby products seemed to be a hit so I thought I would finish the year with the next part of the list. Mallory is 13 months old now so I have good perspective on what helped us get to this point. Here are 10 of some of my favorite products for her age, hopefully just in time for Christmas shopping :)


1. A Crib Soother<>

Both of my kids have their own and it has helped so much with sleep training. I can just put her in the bed, turn it on, and she will watch it as she goes to sleep. It plays for about twenty minutes, just enough time for her to fall asleep. Peyton used to wake up in the night and use it to lull him back to sleep, so we would wake to the music playing over the monitor. I started using it with her when she was teeny tiny to make it part of her sleep routine.

2. Gerber Sippy Cups

This is a great starter cup, and then you can move into the cups we use for Peyton. (below) Great for families with multiple kids because the parts are pretty much all interchangeable. This is the ONLY cup I use for Peyton. Only three pieces so easy to wash, they really don't leak, and come in multiple sizes. We started Mallory on the ones with the handles but now she can do all of his without problem.

3. Activity Table

Great to help them learn to pull up and stand on their own. Plus 2-3 babies can play with it at once so fun for playgroups.

4. Toys with Balls (Busy Ball Popper) or Busy Ball Train

5. Marpac Sleep Machine (or any white noise machine)

All of my children will have one of these and we use it every nap, every bedtime, every time we travel. It is just white noise and drowns out dog barking, crying, talking, tv, etc. and is just another way to develop a consistent sleep routine. The Marpac has been around forever and has a great warranty program and is just simple white noise. no fancy buttons, no nature sounds, just white noise.

6. Exersaucer or Activity Center

Mallory didnt use hers as much as Peyton but this is a lifesaver for when you need to take a shower or want to have some time to yourself while they are plenty entertained. It confines them :) I like the Baby Einstein one because it has plenty of well made toys without being too overwhelming. We put her in as early as 3 months old and just put a pillow behind her to support her.

7. Inch bug Name Labels

Best invention ever! These labels go over bottles or sippy cups so you always know which cup is yours (good for when you leave them behind at playgroups too!) and they go straight into the dishwasher, label and all. No more marker washing off with every washing! And unlike the sticker labels you can easily move them from cup to cup.

8. Laugh and Learn Play House



If I could only have ONE toy in my house for the rest of their toddler hood, THIS would be it. Mallory loves it. Peyton loves it. We love it. They play with it each and every day in multiple ways. It is a house, a drum set. a jungle gym, they drive cars on it, they use the clock, they sing to it. BEST TOY EVER.


9. Push Toy (Shopping cart, stroller, etc



Both of my kids love their shopping carts and now Mallory has a stroller too. They will play with this one for many years. Peyton still uses his all over the house and to move his play food around. Also helps them as they learn to walk.

10. Any and all of Big Brother's Toys

(especially taking apart his train table!, play kitchen, big building blocks, etc.) Drawers filled of sippy cups. Kleenex boxes, things in the baby bag, my purse or wallet, and the laundry hamper. :)


(Add Blue Marker to the list!)

I have been amazed at what Mallory will play with by simply being exposed to it. She loves all of his toys, especially his train table. She also LOVES drawers of kitchen items so I have a special drawer at her level that is totally baby proofed with Tupperware and baby cups so that she can feel like she is pulling apart my kitchen.

Of course this isn't everything, but hopefully will help someone! Other Moms- what did I forget that you love?

America's Top Babysitter?

Did you know that I am currently developing a new reality tv show called "America's Top Babysitter"? Top reality tv stars will compete for the ultimate title of "America's Best Babysitter". We just finished filming episode 1 which included past Bachelor and Bachelorette Stars Chris L. and Peyton W.! Their ultimate babysitting "Challenge"? My Peyton.




Ok, so obviously just kidding about the show, but I think it is very funny that Peyton and Mallory were recently babysat but such big reality stars. :) Girl Peyton is one of my best friends (and the reason I loved the name Peyton!) and is dating Bachelorette runner-up Chris L. (From Ali's season, apparently he was America's favorite). He was in town the other week, I had a doctor's appointment, Girl Peyton is like part of our family, and somehow the two ended up as my babysitter for the appointment. If you don't know who Chris L. is, google it- you'll be impressed that he was our babysitter. Well, at least some of the stay at home Moms in Peyton's playgroup were! Women my age love this guy! And rightly so, he was very sweet to the kids.

Thank you guys for playing with the kids! You really are a precious couple!

Blast from the Past

I sometimes wish I had started a blog when Peyton was little to remember the first few years of his life. To remedy this I am going to start posting a few old pics every now and then. I was thinking about this picture yesterday because my sweet husband has gotten the kids fully dressed before I pull myself out of bed a few times this week. This is such a huge help and reminded me of how far he has come in the Daddy department. This is a picture of one of the first times he dressed Peyton by himself.



Yes folks- that is a dinosaur onesie, puppy dog pants, and snowmen socks. Such a fun outfit! I remember Marshall defensively stating, "Well, they are all blue!" Hey, we've all got to start somewhere! I love this picture because it is such a fun memory, I remember laughing and laughing. Times change though, these days I don't care what the children are wearing as long as they are dressed. :)

Ring Bearer

*All photos courtesy of Holly Reed Photography.

Peyton had the huge pleasure of recently being a ring bearer in one of my best friend Kristen's wedding. Kristen married Ian in Austin at the end of September and their wedding was so much fun. It was so intimate and personalized to the two of them. Peyton was a ring bearer and I was a bridesmaid. Marshall titled himself "Ring bearer Wrangler" and Mallory thoroughly enjoyed the wedding cake :)


I met Kristen in 2nd grade when she asked me to play paper dolls and we have been friends ever since. It was so special to see my child walk down the aisle right before she did :) She is also an amazing "Aunt" to my children and we all love Ian too.

Pouty Pants!

"I am looking for Gigi! And aren't I cute in my seer sucker suit?"

"Hmmm. Why is Gigi sitting over there?"

At this point Peyton started talking, loudly, and The Ring bearer Wrangler escorted him out of the ceremony :)

Here are some pictures from the day.Peyton had the MOST fun of his life drumming along with the wedding band. He drummed so hard he broke his cake plate, in fact, he was so interested in drumming that he didn't even eat his cake. Kristen gave us a CD of some of the wedding songs and we now listen to it nonstop. This 3-year-old knows some oldies but goodies and has acquired Kristen and Ian's music taste! He calls the song "Be My Baby" his wedding song (since he first heard it at the wedding) and must listen to it whenever we are in the car. He now keeps a pair of drumsticks in the car and plays along on his lap.

Here he is drumming with forks on his cake plate. And this is SUCH a Marshall face!

"This is fun and all Gigi, but what does a girl need to do to get some more cake?"

It is so much fun to have a mini-mere!



The Flight of the Pillow
Peyton found himself on a balcony after the ceremony. We were taking wedding party pictures down below.

"Hmmm, this could be a lot of fun........."

"Yup! We dont need this old pillow anymore. This should spice things up."

Ring Bearer Wrangler to the rescue.

"Now Peyton, it isn't nice to throw your special ringbearer pillow off of a balcony onto unsuspecting wedding guests."

I was just relieved that only the pillow came over the balcony!



Thank you Kristen and Ian for letting us ALL be part of your special day! We had a great time celebrating you! Especially Mallory who went to sleep and woke up the next morning smelling like a giant piece of wedding cake. :)

Song of the Day

(To the tune of My Favorite Things)

"Babies in one piece footie jammies all season




Pony tails that stick up in the air for no reason




The words "DADDY", you come wipe my bottom please"


These are a few of my favorite things!


When the dogs bark


when no sleep I've had


when the noisy drumming is driving me mad





I simply remember these favorite things, and then I don't Feel So Bad!"

Our Life

I wanted to post this picture in it's own post because I love it SO much. This is what my life is all about. My 2 Angels, Happy, Together, and just Joyful. Not a care in the world except exploring, figuring out their world, and just being little. I want to remember this picture when life gets overwhelming- when the house is a wreck, I am exhausted, they are throwing fits, we have no clean clothes, no groceries, or I am just too tired to do anything productive. None of that matters in the long run because it just isn't as important as playing with and loving on these two little beings. These two little people have truly validated every choice, decision, both answered and unanswered prayers, plan (or lack of plan), that Marshall and I have ever had because it has all led to them. I know this next year is going to be tough with a newborn, a toddler, and a preschooler but we can do it. Just don't expect the house to always be clean (notice the dirty shirt in the background?)

One Year

*This song played such an important part in my childhood. It is from the Mickey "Splashdance" album (yes, came out around the same time as Flashdance!) If anyone ever finds it on CD I would be eternally grateful! Would love to share the songs with my children)

Mallory turned 1 on November 7th. We have now completed 365 days with this dream baby. I can officially say that she is one of the easiest babies I have ever encountered. Example: This morning I gave her a sippy cup of milk instead of her usual and highly demanded bottle. She happily drank it and went about her morning, so far so good. Bye Bye bottles! I loathe washing you! (well, adios for the next 4 months, we will begin our relationship again around April when the new baby comes)

Mallory had her 12 month appointment yesterday but did not receive her shots due to a low grade fever. Her stats were:
Weight 19 lbs, 9 ozs., 25th %
Length 28 1/2 inches, 35th %
Head 17 7/8, 60th %

I was surprised she was no longer ahead of the 50th percentile but the doctor said her growth curve is perfect and that is what matters. She is still plump and round which is probably because her height and weight are pretty equal percentiles.

At 1-year-old Mallory is basically walking. She takes over 9 steps at a time but then will fall and continue along crawling. She loves to wave, play "where's Mallory", and LOVES her lovie Tootsie. She says so many words now, the most interesting to us is "Ike". We don't know what it means but she says it all the time. She also says "Hi" so that isn't what she is trying to convey. I would love to know who this Ike is because he plays a very important role in her life! She also give smacky kisses and loves the doggies. She is becoming very independent and is truly one of the greatest loves of our life!

These pictures were taken on her actual birthday, in a precious dress that Aunt Alice and Uncle Nick gave her.


Mallory is playing on the adorable "Mallory" bench sent to her by Kelley and Joe.


Yup, she can walk!


It isn't all fun and games! She has started being very "Dramatic" and will throw her head down on the floor face first when she gets upset. Then she pops back up and everything is great! So even easy babies have their moments, trust me! I think I am much more laid back this go around which has definitely rubbed off on Mallory and helped make her so mellow.

We love you Baby Mallory! It has been an amazing year and you have made our hearts grow even larger!

Dog and Dino

Halloween 2010 began with Peyton's preschool party and ended with a neighborhood party and trick-or-treating with our neighbors. Peyton chose a Triceratops as this year's costume and we had planned for Mallory to be Glenda but that costume had way too much glitter (glitter is my enemy!) and she spit up on it at her party, so she ended up wearing one of Peyton's old puppy costumes. She was still precious.

On our way to Peyton's school!



Peyton's sweet, small class.




Peyton has been wearing his triceratops costume for weeks, often even sleeping in it. He would sleep through the night in the full get-up, hat, and paws and one night I had to laugh because he was sleeping with me and everytime I would reach over to cuddle him I would get knocked in the face by his dinosaur tail. Got to love little boys! He was so excited to wear it to school for his small classroom party.

On Halloween we headed over to a neighbor's house for dinner with lots of our neighborhood friends. Gigi was with us too!





We trick or treated for the second year in a row with our neighbors the Carrells and the Riddells. This year everyone participated!

James may ask for a different stroller partner next year.

On second thought, she is pretty comfy...







All in all, Mallory's First Halloween was a success! And pregnant Mommy has been enjoying all of the candy they collected. :) Thanks Kids!