Citrus Lane New Mom Gift Subscription Review ~ Holiday Gift Guide

If we really admit it, half of the fun of receiving a gift is the anticipation and opening of the gift. What could it be? What wonderful surprise could await inside that box? It is exciting. So what could be more fun for a new mommy than a box full of baby gifts that arrives monthly? That’s the idea behind Citrus Lane. Citrus Lane is a subscription-based gift service that sends new moms a monthly box of goodies with four-five hand-selected, age-appropriate gifts for baby (ages 1 month – 3 years). The mailed gift boxes include suprises such as toys, bath products, snacks, keepsakes and other mom-tested must haves.

From Citrus Lane:

I like to think of our monthly boxes as care packages to help moms and dads on their parenting journeys. Every product we include has been recommended and reviewed by our advisory board and our community. No marketing gimmicks, no paid placements — just real recommendations from real parents for products that solve real problems.

Why I Love It – My husband purchased a three-month subscription for me on the day our daughter was born, and my first box just arrived this week. I was so excited when my box arrived in the mail, it was like an early Christmas just for me. I loved all of my gifts (including one product I already swear by and another I had been thinking about buying for myself). I already can’t wait for my box next month! It’s a great gift idea for a second (or third…) baby when mom already has all of the “big” stuff.

Buy It – Citrus Lane offers monthly subscriptions for $25 a month or prepaid subscriptions (great for gifts) in three, six or 12-month increments (with discounts available for six- and 12-month subscriptions). Plus, enter coupon code CITRUSHALF at checkout and get the first month of your monthly subscription for only $12.50.

Great Gift For – Moms and moms to be. Because you can start a subscription at any time, this is a wonderful gift for any mom with a little one under three years old. (When mom redeems her gift subscription, she is asked the age of her child (in months) to determine which gift box to start with. And if mom gets multiple gift subscriptions, they are automatically stacked so the boxes just keep coming.) Since Citrus Lane also offers a baby shower gift box, it’s a wonderful idea for moms to be as well.

Enter to win The Suburban Mom’s Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway here!!!

Disclosure – Product was provided to facilitate this review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

What to Pack for the Hospital for Delivery?

Alternate title for this post, “Do I have everything, Am I Ready?”

After a bit of a labor scare Friday night, well early Saturday morning. I went from bags half packed, to bags in the car ready to go in 30 minutes. I had a list of what I wanted to pack, so I think I got everything… but did I?

I highly recommend two bags – a labor bag and a recovery bag. The labor bag can be pretty small, but it should have a few essentials you might need during deliver. What you don’t want is to have to have hubby lug your stuff around the hospital if you are labor or if you are sent home (like I was).

Here’s my list of what to pack for the hospital, did I miss anything?

Labor bag -

• Chapstick
• Hair ties
• Camera + Charger
• Phone + Charger
• Notepad + pen – you will forget things you want to remember
• Something to record those little footprints (Good call Crissi – see comment below)
• Sweater – if you are in labor you won’t need it… but if you end up sitting around and eventually being sent home, you might get cold. I did. (Hubby was FREEZING, so you might want to suggest this to your hubby too.)

• Laptop + Charger
• 3 Pairs PJs for me to wear – no hospital gown for this mama
• Slippers
• Flip flops – for the shower
• Towels – (thanks for reminding me Laura – see her comment below)
• Toiletries
• Make up and hair brush/dryer - hello, photo opp!
• Nursing bra(s)
• Roll of soft toilet paper – who wants sandpaper after all that trauma!
• Boppy – I know some people skip this, but I loved having mine with me last time
• Pillow – I like to take my own pillow, with a colorful case so no one mistakes it as a hospital pillow
• Going home outfit for me – something comfy but a little cute
• A couple onsies/sleepsacks/hats for baby – just for cute
• Going home outfit for baby
• Wipes – they give you washcloths that are like sandpaper, very hard to use
• Gift for older kids – make your big kids feel special and pack a special gift for baby to give them in the hospital (I chose a Bitty Baby by American Girl and this Big Sister Book)

What not to bring (in fact, stock up while you are at the hospital)

• Diapers
• Pads
• Pacifiers
• Swaddling blankets

Alright mamas – did I miss anything? (I know, I am an over packer. I like to be prepared.)

Oh… and wish me good luck. Baby is due October 9, if not sooner…

Top 10 Unnecessary Baby Registry Items

Your baby will need tons and tons of stuff. I swear they are the smallest people, but they require the most stuff. It is almost comical, almost. When registering for your baby, it is tempting to register for everything under the sun. But I assure you, you do NOT need everything. Baby stores make registry lists to sell you stuff, you don’t need everything suggested – I promise.  And what’s more, you are much better off not registering for things you don’t need so that you actually get the things you do.

Here are the top 10 things you do NOT need to register for because you will never need them. Some I learned from experience, others I listened to advice and I never needed.

1. Wipe Warmer – Here’s the thing about babies, when the are born they don’t know anything. They learn from you through conditioning. So, if you never use a wipe warmer, your baby won’t care one bit that the wipes are cold. Really. But if you start using a wipe warmer and suddenly you are out and about and need to wipe your baby’s tush without a warmed wipe… well, that’s when you will really pay for this senseless gadget. If you happen to get one as a gift, return it and use the money to buy wipes!
2. Baby Shoes – Babies don’t walk, therefore, they do no need shoes. Yes, they are cute, but frankly you will spend 90% of your time picking the tiny shoes off the floor and putting them back on the tiny feet. Instead of shoes, opt for adorable socks that look like little shoes. (I love Trumpette socks.) They are just as cute, keep those little toes warm, more comfortable for you little one and they stay on much better (not perfect, but better).
3. Baby Powder – I have no idea what this is used for any more. I got several bottles when my daughter was born, and they are all unused. Doctors recommend not using powder, so why do it?
4. Microwave Bottle Sterilizer – I am a germaphobe.  I admit that I have a problem, but even I recognized the uselessness of this gadget. Bottles, pacifiers, plastic toys go in the dishwasher and come out clean – that’s all you need. I admit I did use the Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags for quick cleans, but I preferred the dishwasher. (Don’t have a dishwasher? Then I take it back, you might need one.)
5. Baby Bathrobe - They are so cute, I fell prey to this registry item. But I never took the tags off, and I sold it at a garage sale for $0.25. You baby isn’t going to walk around the house in a robe after bath time. You will bathe, dry, dress and keep the baby warm… robe unnecessary.
6. Car Sun Shade – I live in Florida, so this was on my must-have list with my first. I actually got two, one for each window. Then I went to the fire station to have my car seat checked, and the officer flat out told me that it was a danger to my baby. Since sun shades are held on to the window by suction cups, they are very likely to fall off (in fact, ours fell off all the time). In an accident, these shades become projectile missiles that can injur your baby. Guess where those shades went – trash can.
7. Bottle Warmer – Some people swear by these, but you don’t need one. Like with wipe warmers, if you get your baby used to something from the get-go they will have to have it. For frozen breast milk – defrost under warm running water. Other than that, give your baby milk straight from the fridge, if you do this from the start they will be flexible and you will save time not having to warm bottles day and night.
8. Rear Safety Mirror – This is the mirror that attaches to your rear view mirror so you can look back at a mirror above your child so you can watch over your baby. Love the idea, but it doesn’t work. I tried several of these and each of them failed. They flopped over and fell off. I spent more time fiddling with them than anything else. Stick with just the baby mirror and look in your own rear mirror to see your baby.
9. Baby Perfume/Cologne - Did you know such a thing existed? I do NOT get it. You do not need it.
10. Travel System - The ultimate waste. I know they are highly rated, and everyone has to have one (including me), but I HATED mine. It was big, bulky and annoyed me on SO many levels. Go for the lighter, more mobile and less expensive option of a car seat and a Snap and Go stroller. There are various brands that work with most infant car seats, I promise it is so much more convenient. Then when your baby is out of the carrier you can get a “real” stroller. (I recommend the City Mini!)

I promise, if you don’t get any of the things on this list you and your baby will survive and you won’t even miss them. Happy registering!

For more registry help, check out my post on want 10 baby things you need to register for under $35.

Top 10 Baby Registry Items Under $35

Arriving at Babies R Us to register for my first, I was excited. Registering for my wedding had been so much fun, I imagined registering for my baby and all of the cute little things she would need would be just as fun. Ten minutes later I was sitting on the floor in BRU overwhelmed and crying. I am not kidding.

I got as far as the first aisle, baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers, and there were so many choices that I was immediately certain of one thing — if I couldn’t make the right decision on fast or slow, latex or silicone , etc. etc. I was going to be a terrible mom and chances were my baby would starve to death.

Yes, pregnancy hormones were running wild, but registering for a baby can, without a doubt, be overwhelming. There are so many products and choices, how is a new mom to narrow down an entire store into the things she will really need for her baby? Ask someone who has been there, ask an experienced mom.

When my husband was finally able to calm me down, I was able to do a preliminary trip through the store and add a few important items to my registry. But I was far from done, and I needed help. I enlisted the help of a friend with a three year old. She went through my incomplete registry and made a list of things I should include and another list of things I didn’t really need. She “fixed” my registry, and in the end I got everything I needed and then some.

Planning for baby #2, I feel much more confident, and I want to pass along a few of my must have baby registry items to you. But first-time moms, I also recommend finding an experienced mom to review your registry and give you their tips. (Note – I am skipping right over the obvious things like car seat, stroller, bedding, bottles, etc. Instead my list is things you might not think about until you’ve been there.)

1. Itzbeen Baby Timer – This little gadget was brand new to the market when my first was born, so it was a product I discovered on my own, and I don’t know how we would have survived without it. During those first sleep-deprived weeks  months, this helped my husband and I keep track of late-night feedings/changings without waking each other. Available on Amazon for $19.54 it is the best $20 ever spent.
2. Diapers – Register for diapers. I will say it again, register for diapers. One of the great trends in baby showers these days is to encourage guests to bring a pack of diapers to be entered into a raffle for a little prize. Great idea. You will need LOTS of diapers, so go ahead and register for them. (Oh, and skip the newborn size. They will FLY through those, and if your baby is born big your baby might never wear them. Just register for size 1 & 2s. People will buy you the newborn anyway, and you don’t want too many. If you happen to have a tiny baby, you’ll have to buy little ones but your baby will always grow into the bigger ones.)
3. Nursing Cover – If you are even considering nursing, register for a nursing cover. A nursing cover never crossed my mind when registering with my first, but another experienced mom friend thought for me and bought me one. It was GREAT! There are tons of choices, but my brand of choice is a Hooter Hider – comes in tons of cute colors and available on Amazon for $34.29.
4. Waterproof Pads – These highly useful and inexpensive pads have oh-so-many uses. One of my top uses, place on top of the pretty changing pad cover and keep a stack handy. This way every time your little one has a little leak you can just swap out the pad on top without having to change the whole cover. (My husband also made me sit on one in the car as my due date approached, he was paranoid my water would break unexpectedly. In reality, the Dr broke my water in the hospital.) Available on Amazon for $5.99.
5. Table Toppers – Whenever possible, I try not to make extra waste, but this was one handy helper that I allowed to make a little extra trash. Table toppers are a must with little ones in restaurants. Restaurant table surfaces are ick, ick, ick. It isn’t just the germs, those nasty chemicals that they smear on the table – ewww. I used these things everywhere, plus it makes clean up easy. I did stay on the green side by always using the biodegradable toppers. Available in tons of cute patterns including Disney. Register for a big pack – 45 count for less than $20 on Amazon.
6. Wubbanub – Wub-a-what? Wub-a-moms-best-friend. Soothie pacifiers are the pacifiers of choice in many hospitals, and my daughter fell in love with hers from the get go. The only problem, babies can’t put their pacis back when they fall out. The solution, a cute little animal attached to a paci. The Wubbanub lays on your baby’s chest while they suck on their paci, and for the most part it stays put (not perfect, but it helps). As I recall, the tag says “spot clean only,” I used to throw the whole thing in the washer and dryer, then I would take a paci wipe to the paci part. Pick your favorite lovable stuffed Wubbanub and a back up, you will want two. Available on Amazon for $12.50 – $19.95.
7. Sippy cups – Your mindset may be all baby right now, but months pass quickly and soon your baby will be moving from bottles to sippy cups (and solid foods). By registering for some of the “older” items now you will be ready when baby is! For on the go, throw some of the Take and Toss cups, bowls, flat wear, etc on your list. They are inexpensive so you won’t feel bad when they get lost, and if they break they are 100% recyclable. Available on Amazon for $7.29 for 2 sippy cups & $2.99 and up for Take and Toss.
8. Closet Dividers – Soon the empty closet will be filled with little tiny clothes of varying sizes. If you don’t keep all the various sizes organized you will very likely find that your little one grows out of clothes that were “lost in the closet” before ever being worn. Enter an easy and cute solution — closet dividers. Label the mini wardrobe by size and you will always have what you need at hand. (Sugar Boo now makes dividers that can be written on with a dry erase so you can later reuse the dividers to label seasons, days of the week, style, etc. — wish I had those!) Available on Amazon for $9.95 – $12.
9. Sound Machine – Referred to as baby crack on many baby forums, this little gizmo is life-saver. Seriously, great purchase. You will thank me later. Read my full review of this sound machine here. Available on Amazon for $20.99.
10. Kick Mats - Your car will soon be taken over by your kiddo and your kiddo’s stuff, there’s nothing you can do about that, but those dirty feet prints on the back of your cars seats – that you can prevent. Simple, inexpensive and totally worth registering for, since they come in a two pack you can use one in each car (until kiddo #2). While we are talking about keeping the car clean, get a car seat protector too (we never used the back part, but we still use the bottom part).

Alright, there’s my list of top 10 things you must register for from an experienced mom all under $35 and most under $20. Happy registering!

For more registry help, check out my post on want 10 baby things not to register for.

I Know Her Nose is Red – It is a Birthmark…

When my daughter was born, my brother-in-law was leery about coming into meet her. He saw the red marks all over her face, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she was “scarred” for life. From the first instant, he was worried about how people would react to her for the rest of her life.

Because I had already been assured by all of the doctors and nurses that the Angel Kiss Birthmarks that covered her eyes, forehead, nose, upper lip and chin would completely fade I wasn’t worried, but appreciated the sentiment. To me, she was perfect.

If I had known that the doctor didn’t mean quickly and completely, I might have been worried too. Today, she is 16-months-old, and when I see her, I don’t see the redness. It has faded considerably since birth, but everywhere I go, everyone else only sees her red nose. Read the rest of this entry