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​Third Times a Charm- Baby Trend Retreat Nursery

3/3/2020

2 Comments

 
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I have become a mother of 3 in a relatively short amount of time. Along the way, I realized I spent a lot of money on a lot of useless things. I also learned that there is no cookie-cutter way to raise children and with that a ton of different ways to do things or handle situations. One thing that has been common with my children is how absolutely useless cribs have been. 
 
I purchased a fancy crib for my first son, who is now 4 and I can count on two hands the amount of time he’s slept in it. That number diminished to zero for my daughter and for our youngest he’s crib clueless lol. I’m only bringing this up because cribs are expensive and with the amount of actual baby gear you need, why not save a little money?
I’m not going to just make noise; I’m going to come up with a viable solution that is Gaines family approved. Our Baby Trend Retreat Nursery has been a family staple. This single product was used by each of my children and has served as a bassinet, crib, changing station, and play area over 5 years. 
 
Knowing what I know now, I would have never spent money on a crib because this single item successfully performs in multiple manners. The following benefits are amazing ways to get full use of this product. As I usually mention, I am not an expert. I’m just a mom trying to help other moms become efficient while saving a buck or two. 
  • Bassinet
  • Changing Table
  • Crib
  • Play Area
  • Mobility
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The Baby Trend Retreat Nursery Bassinet feature is an insert that is detachable which means you have found an additional way to transport your baby around the house. I loved being able to pull this item close to my bed at night so I could easily check on my children and breastfeed. Over the years since this product has seen 3 babies, I added additional padding for comfort and comfortable sheets. The timeframe I used this function was from birth until about 3-4 months. ​
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The Baby Trend Retreat Nursery changing table is made of waterproof material making it easy to clean. There is an area to store diapers, wipes, and changing or cleaning products. The table also swings out of the way for convenience. I have been able to use this with my children until they were about two. I could have possibly used this feature longer but two is around the age I had them potty trained.
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The Baby Trend Retreat Nursery allows for two crib positions, high and low. I added a memory foam mattress topper and waterproof padding once again for comfort as well as for hygienic purposes. When the mattress was in the higher position it is great for not so mobile infants (babies not able to completely control their heads). After a child learns how to maneuver themselves, you need to change to the low position.  The lower position is a great place for older babies to safely sleep.
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The Play Pen function of the Baby Trend Retreat Nursery is ​a great way to safely contain a baby. With supervision, baby can play with toys in a confined area with little to no worry.
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I loved that the Baby Trend Retreat Nursery Center could be transported anywhere and without taking up tons of space. The ability to extend familiarity, comfort, and safety in any location. We travel a lot so this was probably one of the best things about this product.   ​
2 Comments

Third Times a Charm- Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker

2/3/2020

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Ellius is getting older and wants to be included in EVERYTHING that we do. I don’t remember Juliana or Tre wanting to be so involved this young but hey I love how curious he is. I was getting tired of transporting our 4Moms rocker around and plugging it in from room to room so I went looking for a better option. 

If we’re Facebook friends then you most likely know these two things, I love my family and I love Amazon-like Russell loves Ciara. I order everything from Amazon because it’s more convenient than hauling 3 small children from store to store. With that being said, I went on a search for infant seating and found this gem.
Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker was a complete score. It retails at about $45 and I was able to purchase a brand new one for $25. It is lightweight so carrying it around is a simple task. The seat vibrates with 2 C batteries. There is a stabilization bar to prevent rocking which is a good thing if your infant has siblings with no rocking chill. There are two adorable toys to grab your infant's attention. I bought it or my infant but my 19 months old loves getting in it and rocking away.  ​
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Kiinde Products $50 MSRP for $5.99

11/26/2019

1 Comment

 
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Most moms tend to struggle with breastfeeding for a multitude of reasons. Some of the most consistent complaints are the pain, time consumption, inconvenience, and in some instances the lack of cooperation from their little ones. Breastfeeding can be a hard process but ultimately there is no better bonding experience than the time spent connecting with your child during feeding.
I’ve written a short novel about my breastfeeding experiences. I’ve breastfed both of my children up until they were about a year. As I approach giving birth to my third child I realized I haven’t really discussed the tools I have personally used to help me along my journey.
I was introduced to Kiinde a few years ago when I was considering a complete system that would permit me to pump, store, and feed. The bags attach to multiple pumping units, the bags are re-sealable making use of plastic screwcaps, storage is simple and permits for freezing, and defrosting is fast!
The company is presently giving away starter kits for FREE ($50 value)! All you need to do is pay $5.99 for shipping. The starter kits contains: 
  • 1 – Twist Pouch, a direct-pump, recyclable breastmilk storage bag
  • 2 – Standard Direct-Pump™ Adapters
  • 2 – Spectra/Avent Direct-Pump™ Adapters
  • 1 – Twist Squeeze Natural Feeding Bottle
  • 1 – Twist Active Latch Slow-Flow Nipple with Case
  • 1 – Coupon valid for a Free 40 count pack of Twist Pouches
  • 1 – Coupon valid for 50% off the Kiinde Twist Breastfeeding Gift Set ($99.99 MSRP)
Visit www.kiinde.com to take advantage of this amazing deal!
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Home Hunting

9/18/2017

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I noticed that once I became a mom, the amount of space a child takes up seems insurmountable. I'm blessed to own a four bedroom home, but even with all of the space I have, it never seems to be enough! In speaking with other mothers, I saw a trend in home upsizing. This post will hopefully help parents looking to jump into the home ownership market. I enlisted Real Estate Agent, Business Owner, and Mother, Chryselle Williams to help us out with some tips!

Life is consistent with growing pains! Moms do you have unstoppable “Phenomenal Comic Powers trapped in an itty bitty living space?” Well so did the most powerful genie in the movie Aladdin.  Even the genie knew that his practical living space was nonfunctional requiring either upgrades or moving into a bigger home. 
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Regardless, if you’re a first-time buyer purchasing a starter home or upgrading into your dream estate buying a home is a significant personal and financial decision that shouldn’t be taken likely.  It’s one of the most consequential decisions that will provide a sense of accomplishment of pride in home ownership.
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Chryselle M. Williams,  PLLC. 
​Château de la Chryselle
Real Estate Coutoure

REALTOR Agent ID:SA657368000 KWEV-
​2077 E. Warner Rd. STE 110
Tempe, Arizona 85248
Mobile: 480-227-2393 Fax: 480-831-1442 Email: Chryselle@realestatecouture.info
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There are various reasons why considering to purchase a new home or upgrading into a larger living space becomes essential.  Have you ever found yourself trying to reorganize an existing living space to accommodate additional household items or growing family? Or purchasing twin beds to accommodate multiple children in a small room? Or asking your partner to move the excessive exercise equipment, furniture, other household items, tools or storage containers into the garage to empty out a room?  

Everyone’s living situation and reasoning for the environmental change is slightly different but most common are individuals relocating from another state, growing families requiring additional livable space, room to entertain guest, increasing income due to a job promotion, oversize furniture or personal preference of higher education. 
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If the time is right for you to upgrade your living space consider prioritizing your new purchase based on your family’s lifestyle, needs, and interest. Discuss with a real estate professional the pros and cons of Renting a House vs. Buying a Home to invest in your future.
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Here are a few things to consider:
  • Renting is short-term option to reach a worthwhile goal towards home ownership.
  • Thoroughly research the neighborhood to eliminate any concerns regarding crime, schools, afterschool activities, and shopping centers.  
  • Selecting the right location to reduces stress from spending extra time commuting. 
  • Choosing the right home within 20 to 25 minutes of work is ideal.

Finances
What financial resources are available to purchase a new home?
  • Choose a knowledgeable and patient Realtor.
  • Select between two to three lenders and shop for the best interest rate and  great rapport.
  • Determine credit worthiness for homeowner assistance.
  • Have established savings to assist in purchasing cost.
  • Ask your Lender about receiving a One-Time Gift to help with down payment assistance.
Space
  • Single story or Multi-level dwelling to include staircase
  • Great room, living room, family room, split floor plan or loft area
  • Extra bedrooms between four to five  
  • Bathrooms between three to four
  • Kitchen space, extra cabinets, Breakfast Island or oversize pantry, etc.
  • Guest room or a mother in law space
  • Optional Swimming pool gated or no gate 
Energy Efficient 
  • Appliance usage gas or electric 
  • Solar paneling etc.
Entertainment
  • Optional Private Swimming pool vs. Community Pool  (Gate safety)
  • Landscape
  • Room for pool table etc. 

Hope this information was helpful. The genie found a new home. I hope you find yours! If you have any additional questions in regards to First time home buying programs, upgrading to a new house, renovating investment properties or relocating to Arizona, please do not hesitate to contact me.  
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MOM SURVIVAL

8/28/2017

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So by now everyone probably knows that I am all about finding ways to tackle Mom Life head on and come out victorious. Throughout my limited experience and with the help of following mothers, I comprised a listing of some excellent gadgets worth investing in. I know some may seem a little pricy, but believe me, they are worth it.
Imagine waking up and pushing a button to feed your child. How about never losing another pacifier? Well, these gadgets and tools that turn you into a Super Mom and make mom life simpler.​
Feeding
​Maker
Say goodbye to the time and hassle of manually preparing baby’s bottles. The Formula Pro uses patented technology to measure, dispense and mix water and powdered formula to the perfect temperature and consistency. With the push of a button, you can prepare a bottle within seconds that has no air bubbles.

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Monitor
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Owlet is the only monitor to give you one less thing to worry about. It’s also the only monitor to use hospital technology called pulse oximetry. Owlet is designed to alert you if your baby stops breathing. We’re silently watching over your little one to give you peace of mind, and maybe even a full night’s sleep.


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Monitor
Never miss a smile with the high-resolution, 2.8-inch color LCD screen. The camera pans up to 270 degrees side-to-side and tilts as many as 124 degrees up and down. The camera zooms up to 2x. Two infrared LEDs and a low-lux camera automatically detect dim light, providing clear video even in dark rooms. Comfort your infant from any room with the built-in intercom.
Sleep, Play, & Change
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The Baby Trend Go-Lite ELX nursery center includes a portable bassinet unit and can be converted into a rocker that will keep your little one entertained. The Baby Trend Go-Lite play yard comes complete with a deluxe mattress pad, a bassinet feature for smaller children, a flip away diaper changer, and a  wipes/diaper organizer. The play yard comes with a electronic pod with music, sounds & a night light.
Bath Time
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Clean and pamper your baby with The Lil’ Luxuries, Whirlpool Bubbling Spa and Shower in a luxurious spa experience at home. With a calming whirlpool and massaging bubbles, keeping your little one entertained and soothed during bath time has never been easier!



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Health
​Large, easy to read screen with color-coded fever guidance. Patented technology captures twice as much body heat to ensure accurate results. The positioning system reduces user error;
Seating​
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The Bumbo Floor Seat is a parenting essential and the perfect first seat for babies. The Bumbo Floor Seat should only be used when your baby can support his or her head. With the Bumbo Floor Seat, parents can engage with their child during key developmental milestones from playtime to feeding time and give baby a chance to see his or her surroundings from a new perspective.

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​Feeding
Dr. Brown's 3 pack feeding bottles have a patented, internal vent system made for your baby's comfort. This positive-pressure feeding system directs the air to the back of the bottle through the nipple collar to prevent collapse while drinking. These BPA-free, microwave, and dishwasher safe for ease of use. These baby feeding bottles can be used for newborns and babies.
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Health
Nosefrida
 The Snotsucker, the doctor-developed and doctor-recommended nasal aspirator is the new standard in keeping babies naturally snot free.

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Nursery Maintenance
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A clean nursery is a happy nursery! Keep your nursery smelling fresh by controlling odors with the Diaper Genie® Essentials. The Diaper Genie®Essentials Pail prevents odors unlike an ordinary pail and plastic bag. Odor is no match for the Diaper Genie® Essential’s AIR-TITE® system. Rest assured that every time you drop a baby diaper into the pail, the Push-N-Lock clamp helps seal in odors.
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Travel 
Ergobaby 360 Exceptional lower back support with wide wraparound waistband maximizes comfort especially post C-section. Extra padded shoulder straps helps evenly distribute your baby’s weight.
Face baby in or out. Wear on the hip or back as baby grows (~4-36 months/12-33lbs or start with newborn infant insert ~0-4Months/7-12lbs, sold separately)
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Travel
Pacifier clips are made with an elastic loop so they can be easily tied round everything from all shapes of pacifiers made with all different materials, to teething toys.

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BEAUTY: MICROBLADING FOR MOMS

6/26/2017

1 Comment

 
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MICROBLADING FOR MOMS
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I’ve said this on multiple occasions that mothers have limited time to pull themselves together. I even had beauty expert, pageant title holder, and mom Shakeira E-Banks provide MomLifeManual.com with a 10-minute Mommy Face (view below posts). I’m kicking it up a notch and on my quest to locate ways to expedite the time it takes me to get ready in the morning I came across microblading. 

I know some of you are saying. “What is microblading?” Microblading is a practice where an artist uses a tattooing like method to draw hair strokes mimicking the natural shapes of individual’s eyebrows. You can go swimming, rub your eyes, and microblading is a smudge proof solution to keeping your eyebrows on point. This means no more money or more importantly, time spent drawing in eyebrows. You could literally, “woke up like this” and go. ​​
  • Consult
  • Procedure
  • Results
  • Cost
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Type

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​​There are variations in Microblading. Individuals can elect to have the simple hand Microblading or an Ombre Powder Brow. Hand Microblading is more of a natural result of strokes, whereas Ombre Powder Brows provide a more makeup filled look using shading.

Shape

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​The next step is determining the shape of your semi-permanent eyebrows. I included a chart of standard eyebrow shapes. If you trust your Microblanding Artist, you can request a coutured shape based upon your natural eyebrows.

Color

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Finally, you will need to select the perfect color. Just like tattoo ink, there are several colors you can choose from. Keep in mind that black fades to blue, so ask your specialist to recommend the best shade for you.  
  1. Your artist should start by measuring your eyebrows. The measurements are to ensure a symmetrical shape. Through measurement, your stylist can determine deficiencies and develop a better outline.
  2. An outline is then created using a wax pencil. The outline is used as a guideline for your Microblanding Artist. Your artist will confirm with you to certify that you like the shape. The outline will give you a glimpse into what your result will look like. 
  3. ​Little incisions are made, and anaesthetization cream is applied. I will say that this was the most uncomfortable part of the process. My eyes watered followed by some sneezing. I was glad my Microblanding Artist took the time to properly numb the area to provide comfort through this hour-long process. 
  4. Strokes are then made with the specialized tools, ink is applied, and made to set for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, excess ink is wiped off, more incisions are made, and the process is repeated until the desired look is achieved. My session took about an hour.  
Below are typical results from Microblading if done correctly. Notice the outcome is natural and healing is similar to getting tattooed. There is no recovery time but expect not to get your freshly microbladed eyebrows wet for approximately 7 days. Itching does occur and a little discomfort, but in my book, this procedure was well worth it!

Please remember a touchup is required approximately 3 months after your 1st session. 
Cost: $50 Deposit, $400 1st session, and $150 for the touch up. Grand total: $600 not including her well deserved tips!
1 Comment

MOMAGRAPHER

6/12/2017

1 Comment

 
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MOMAGRAPHER

On the Celebration section of MomLifeManual.com, I had an opportunity to interview a photographer to learn how to enhance photo taking abilities. I ended up purchasing a fancy camera because what I learned on this fabulous motherhood journey is, I still really like to take pictures.
I love that images can remind us of special events and can take us right right back to those feelings. I love seeing the growth and the milestones I've been able to capture. I share a lot of images of my family on social media, so I figured I should invest in myself and my interests leading me to this post. 
I used my new camera and followed these main tips:

  • Autofocus is your friend. The inner artist in me wanted to use manual focus, but autofocus gave me better results especially when using the continuous shooting feature. 
  • Use the display viewfinder preview. Great determination of how your shots will come out. 
  • Have a toy handy that makes your little one laugh! My son is a habitual photo mean mugger. The only way to get a pleasant smile from my son is by making Big Bird dance.

The provided tips were handy, and the proof is in the pudding! On a low key Sunday, I got my camera out and proceeded to snap these dope images of my favorite male models.
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Discounted Locations to Feed the Seed

5/8/2017

2 Comments

 
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Discounted Locations to Feed the Seed

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I love doing activities with my little guy especially going out to eat. What I don’t enjoy is purchasing meals that aren't eaten for the sake of making sure he feels included. After going to several restaurants, I noticed that there are locations that offer great deals to feed your child. Some offer discounts, while others go the extra mile and provide FREE meals for children. The below list are some chain restaurants that extend the opportunity to give your pockets a break while filling your kid's bellies. 
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​The day of the week depends upon location, but children can eat FREE here on a specific day of the week. ​
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Free meals on Tuesday’s 5:30-7:30 p.m (adult meal required). Other locations may charge a $0.99 fee.
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Children under the age of three can eat here daily for FREE. ​

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FREE frozen custard with the purchase of a meal daily for kids 12 and under.
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Two children eat free at Denny's on Tuesdays from 4-10 p.m for every paying adult. *Saturdays
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12 and under eat free all day on Mondays or Tuesdays. Some locations may charge $0.99 for kids meals.

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Kids eat free all day on Wednesdays. One free kids' meal for each adult combo meal purchased.
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Sundays children eat free from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ​
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Children eat free promotion with the purchase of an adult entree.

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Some locations kids eat free on Tuesdays.
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Children eat free on Tuesdays.
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Children under 10 eat free on Mondays.
2 Comments

EBT & SNAP

5/1/2017

1 Comment

 
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When you’re a member, you have privileges

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I wasn’t sure if I should create this post, but I felt that it could help mothers that fall into this category. Finding interesting and inexpensive things to do with your child can be challenging when you’re on a budget. A visit to the Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona can cost you $40 for an Adult (13 + years) and $20 for children (3-12 years). If you do the math and factor in food and rides, IT IS SO EXPENSIVE!
I was hanging out with one of my single mother friends who works hard at a job to provide for her family. We were scheduling an activities day for our children when I learned about the benefits of having an EBT card. For those of you who don’t know about this magical device, it’s to provide low-income families with a way to feed their children. Not only does it deliver a means to maintain food supply but you can receive discounts on activities! Concessions on Zoos, Aquariums, and Museum visits. 
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If you’re a parent that falls within this group research and see how you can make the most of your card! You can use Google to determine EBT card participants. You can create delightful experiences and memories for your children economically!

Click the image below to display special discounts in your area, that 
provide low income families with additional assistance. 
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1 Comment

SURVIVAL: 101

3/27/2017

1 Comment

 
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Dad Survival KitIt is off season for Tre’s Dad, so that means more Daddy Duties! I may come home to a half-naked child with food all over his person or food pouches in EVERY room, but I feel a tad more comfortable knowing that I have provided a solid foundation in which his male parent can properly Dad. Aside from setting timers on his father’s phone for every three hours to remind him to feed and change Tre, I created a Dad Survival Kit. Here are the items I included in the Dad Survival Kit I made for my little guy's father. These items will help your partner be more prepared to face parenthood! 
​1.  amzn.to/2vtyM8PBaby Rearview Mirror
2.  Blanket
3.  Travel Changing Table
4.  Diapers
5.  Wipes with Hard Case
6.  Anti Bacterial Wipes
7.  Diaper Cream
8.  Plastic Bags
9.  Hand Sanitizer
10. Baby Soap and Lotion
11. Burp Cloths
12. Bibb
13. Sippy Cup​
14. Plastic Container
15. Spoon and Fork
16. Food Pouches
17. To Go Toddler Drink
18. Yogurt Puffs
19. Pacifiers with Clips
20. Baby Tooth Brush
21. Thermometer
22. Baby Tylenol
23. Advil
24. Hennessy
25. Energy Shot
26. Book
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