5-12 Month Old Musts

Our sweet Hopie girl is almost a year.
As I type that sentence my brain is echoing: Say what? what? what?

Cra-Z that she was only this big 11 months ago and now she is wobbling her way to her first steps.

I know that I am always saying this, but I still just can't get enough of her.
Her smell, her smile, her laughs, her squeeks. She has been nothing but a delight. So blessed am I to be her mother.

It probably comes as no surprise with all the goo goo-ing and gah gah-ing that I do over Hope that I absolutely la la love the baby stage. Yes, it is sOoO exhausting and the postpartum hormones can be a rollercoaster to nowhere, but all of that H-E double hockey sticks fades away to a peaceful brook with wild flowers blooming near by when I am holding, nursing, or staring at my babe.

As we all know though that with multiple kids the holding and rocking sometimes has to be put on hold when life and demands from needy toddlers and emotional 5 and 7 year olds take over. 

So, when other duties call and my baby must be pacified with something other than my arms or my breast, here are some of my 5-12 months baby musts.

Here.we.go.

1. ~Ergo and sling~

If you have read any of my other posts, you know that I am an avid baby wearer and the Ergo and my sling are my go to's this time around. I don't leave home without them, even still when Hope is 11 months and almost walking.

The sling just makes it so much easier to hold Hopie girl on my hip, making her feel half her weight and it gives her a comfy place to rest her little rear.

2. ~Teething Toys~

On baby #4 I finally bought a Sofie, what some call the ultimate teething toy. Hope does like it, but was it worth the $20? I dunno.

Hope did really like these teething rings from Eco baby, so I would definitely say they are worth the buy.

But, ultimately Hope just loves sucking on her sisters tooth brush to soothe her aching gums. Go figure.

3. ~Exersaucer~

I must say that I LOVE this big contraption. Though, just as I was about to put Hope's pudgy legs into its seat, a friend told me that the exersaucer was really not that good for babies and their developing hips. I was completely thrown off my rocker by this, because I couldn't imagine doing with out this mega toy/cage. So I immediately stormed my way to my chiropractor to inquire further. I was able to breath a sigh of relief when he said it was fine as long as I just kept my babe in it for 15 minutes at a time. 15 minutes, no problem. I can change the world in 15 minutes sans baby in my arms. Seriously, 15 minutes equals taking a shower, making dinner, and cleaning the entire house (if I am running while cleaning).  Or it just equals me sitting on the couch eating chocolate chips straight from the bag staring into space and not having to worry about Hope putting a hidden lego in her mouth, still changing the world at least my world.

4. ~Walker~
I bought a walker from the consignment store and it served as new view for Hope when she was tired of the exersauser. She liked it and from time to time would scoot about in it. It also served as a super fun climbing toy, probably not the safest but fun none the less. 

As you can see, none of these items are earth shattering, so please let me know what Hope is missing out on!!