Here are four non-baby items that I think are pretty amazing. I would even say that they are essential to my day to day life with my two little ones!
1. Carabiner – Before we were even married, Mr. Pizza would carry his keys around a carabiner. I thought it was a bit bulky because it just seemed like an additional key ring. He would sometimes hook it on the belt loop of his pants when he had no place to put down his keys (how do men survive without a murse?).Once I had Lil’ Pizza, I started to use the keys with the carabiner and one day decided to hook it around the hardware of my diaper bag (where the strap meets the bag). And now it’s on there most of the time. You may be thinking, what’s the big deal? But consider these scenarios.
– Do you have a hard time locating your keys in your own home or somewhere else? (This was me, every single day.)
– Do you have a keyless starter and put it in a different location every time such as your jacket pocket, inside your bag, or in the cupholder? (Once, I left my car with the keys in the cup holder!)
– Do you struggle to quickly put your kids in the car and have a hard time finding your keys in your overstuffed diaper bag? (Who wants to spend more time fumbling around for keys when you have a crying baby or a runaway toddler with you?)
Now that it’s always in the same spot, it’s so much easier to locate and so accessible. Seriously, give it a try!
2. Vacuum cleaner– A vacuum to use for your hardwood floors can be pretty helpful. Our floors under our dining table is always a disaster with Lil’ Pizza leaving crumbs everywhere. Soon, Baby Pizza will start to get more comfortable with her solids, which I’m sure will just add on to the mess. A light, cordless vacuum is useful but what got me about this vacuum is that it has brush roll clean technology which can remove tangled hair with a touch of a button. Now, doesn’t that sound amazing?? If you are like me postpartum, hair is everywhere! No more cutting hair from the brush of the vacuum!
3. Bathrobe – I practically live in my bathrobe, which is probably not the greatest idea but here are some practical reasons as to why it’s nice to use a bathrobe. In the early days when I was breastfeeding (or trying to), it was helpful to wear a bathrobe for quick and easy access. Both my girls had reflux, so they were constantly spitting up milk all over my clothes. I often wore my bathrobe over my clothes to avoid getting spit up on my clothes. At least they can stay clean while at home! Oh and a bathrobe with pockets, another plus!
4. Comfortable, everyday pants that look good – Do you have a pair of comfortable pants that can be worn any day (or everyday!) and can easily be dressed up or dressed down? There are some days that I leave the house in such a rush that it’s only until after I leave the house that I completely regret my choice of clothing. Those days are when I really hope I don’t run into someone I know. It’s so important to have those “go to” pants that are so comfortable you don’t want to take them off, but they still look better than just plain sweats. And there are pockets. Aren’t you also thankful that jogger pants are in right now?
. . . . .
I just realized that I painted quite the picture of what it’s like for a SAHM with two little ones. What are some of your essential non-baby items once entering parenthood?
guest
I think all of our sets of keys have carabiners now. So essential!
apricot / 320 posts
We got that vacuum cleaner from my parents for xmas last year. It is hands down the most exciting non-exciting gift I’ve ever received.
apricot / 370 posts
our handheld cordless vacuum cleaner is our favorite non baby items, so easy to whip out and suck up quickly all those various spills that always happen–cheerios, cracker crumbs, bits of this and that, confetti (!!), so easy to whip out than dragging/lugging the whole vacuum out.
coffee press…i used to drink occasionally and if i did, it’s for a party so I usually lugging out the big coffee maker and there are 8 parts to clean, or I dash out to the coffee store, but with kids, and now I drink it daily, it’s so much easier to use the press and make at my leisure and it doesn’t take up much counter space like a regular coffee maker.
and google calendar, before kids it wasn’t a big deal for my husband and I just having our own separate schedules and just reminding each other here or there in person. now, with kids, it seems essential to have a shared online calendar to keep us on track with all of our appointments, kids school events, their play dates and friends birthday parties, there’s no question of “i didn’t know” because it’s on the calendar. and it’s great too since we can share certain events online with our parents and family.
kiwi / 635 posts
I have my keys on a necklace land yard now. I don’t know why I don’t do it sooner. I look like a yard duty or something but I always have easy access to my keys.
blogger / apricot / 431 posts
@kakimochi: yes to all of your awesome non baby items!! I’m still working on getting my hubby to sync our calendars together….obviously makes so much sense!
@mrs.kiwi: yes! Isn’t it the best when you think of something and it works out great?:)