More Product Reviews: Muslin & Taggies

In my previous life as an attorney, unreluctant telephone answerer and otherwise autonomous human being, I was not a big shopper. Back in college, I frequented thrift stores and TJ Maxx'es, and of course shopping can be a fun diversion. But I am usually a more aggressive get-rid-of-er than consumer. As far as baby stuff goes, the bulk of it totally mystified me before I had a baby and though I questioned the need for this seemingly endless stuff, I acquiesced to getting the so-called essentials.

Then came Edie. And I learned that you actually can't have too many burp cloths. Seriously. You can't. I also learned who I was as a mom with this kid, and it wasn't "easy going." E fits the bill as, according to baby expert Dr. Weissbluth's eloquent definition, a "difficult baby." From about 2 weeks of age until not too long ago, she regularly spent hours a day crying. Nay, soul-crushingly wailing. Tired? Cries. Baths? Screams. Stroller? Shrieks. Activity mat? Melts down. Loud noise? Way, way, louder noise. I can't tell you what the sounds of my baby crying do me. My adrenaline rushes, my head clouds, and I can almost feel nauseous at times. To illustrate, in a moment I am not at all proud of, I told Will that I would "punch him in the face" if he again suggested we let her cry it out in the stroller. To be clear, there's never been any punching, face or otherwise, in this marriage, and Will did not fear for his safety. But this tells you the urgency I feel for making her calm down. Enter: stuff. Many an impulse buy has occurred in a weak attempt to purchase peace. But once in awhile, I am very happy with a product. So I thought I'd share.

One thing I didn't understand pre-E were security blankets (aka loveys). But when I saw my kiddo stroke her own hair or my soft sweater as she fell asleep, I got it. I decided to get one for stroller rides that might make her feel more comfortable and give her a calming activity as she learned how to nap in there. A brand called "Taggies" makes these brilliant security blankets and related toys, all of which have securely sewn, brightly colored, satin tags affixed to them. It's a color and texture sensation that Edie adores! The pic (of it and her )is after a miraculously successful stroller snooze.

The next is muslin. My mom bought E a gorgeous sleep sack to keep her cool on summer nights (no a/c in our Bavarian abode) and it is made out of muslin. I loved it so much, that I decided to see what else this company made. Turns out they make a few things, and swaddling blankets are one such thing. I bought two and they are fantastic! So light and airy, perfect for draping over the stroller to keep out bugs and sun while still letting the air in, and for about anything else you can think of. We use them all of the time now. The company is called Aden + Anais (my mom found their line at Buy Buy Baby), and I highly recommend it as unique but super useful shower gift. (Photo of Edie wrapped up and chewing on her muslin blankey).

To leave this post on a lighter note, I will add that once tempers cooled, Will laughed very heartily at me for my thuggish threat. A little too heartily. And most importantly, in spite of her temper, Edie is a sweet, smiley, snuggly (at times over-snuggled) baby who gets a little better at tolerating life's annoyances each passing week.