Southern Made Simple

Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm

For the Kids

Oribel Portaplay Activity Center Review

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Oribel Portaplay Activity Center Review

Some serious baby fun is going on RIGHT NOW over on Stuff Parents Need!

Oribel Portaplay Activity Center Review

It’s amazing how fast babies grow. People tried to warn me that it would happen in the blink of an eye, but you don’t really begin to believe them until it starts happening to you. I’ve ugly cried quite a few times already when putting up clothes and toys that my baby has already outgrown. She’s just 6 months old, y’all!

We’ve traded those tears for smiles, though! We had the chance to review an AWESOME baby activity center that grows with your child. I won’t be putting this table away for a few years, because she’ll still be using it up until age 5. Seriously! (I’ll still probably ugly cry when it’s time to put it away, but at least it will be a while!) 😉

 We’re guest posting about it over on Stuff Parents Need right now! You can see our full review and more pictures of our little love bug here. Head on over and take a look!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Babies Age 6-9 Months

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Southern Made Simple is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. Although I participate in these programs and have sponsored posts, all opinions are my own.

Holiday shopping can be a ton of fun, especially when you’ve got little ones to shop for! However, sometimes babies can actually be kind of difficult to shop for. Picking out the bigger toys that will go under the tree is typically a little bit easier, but it’s the stocking that can be a real head scratcher! Shopping for a babies aged 6-9 months can be even trickier. A lot of milestones tend to happen during these months. They’re no longer newborns, and they’re certainly not toddlers. You’ll want to look for things that match them developmentally and actually be useful and even fun for them.

Don’t worry, though! I’ve put together a list of 15 stocking stuffer ideas perfect for babies, specifically ages 6-9 months. I hope this will be helpful to you all as you start making your lists and checking them twice!
Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Babies 6-9 months

I’ve found that Amazon Prime is definitely the way to go when doing holiday shopping, but ESPECIALLY last minute shopping. Most of the affiliate links below are through Amazon. If you’re like a FREE 30 day membership to try Prime out, you can view my post here and get these gifts to your door in just 2 days!

Click here for a FREE 30 Day Amazon Prime Membership!

  1. Bath Toys
    • At this age, babies are starting to learn how to kick their legs and splash in the water. I love the Munchkin Baby Bath Ball, because it is easy to grab (even when wet) and it makes noise. Babies love noise! Babies at this age aren’t exactly spending much play time in the bath, but little toys like this are great to keep them occupied while you’re busy washing them.
  2. Body Wash, Shampoo and Bubble Bath
    • This is one of those things that you really need to have in general. While you may already have some of these items on hand in your bathroom, perhaps now is the time to spring for the REALLY good stuff! Maybe pick out something nice that you can’t find in your typical big box store. I really love Little Twig All Natural Products. They smell great, last a long time, and are free of yucky chemicals that may be harmful for baby!
  3. Sleepers or Cute Onesies
    • This one is always fun. Pick out some cute little PJ’s that are straight from Santa himself! I’m really loving some of these adorable outfits from Mud Pie! You can also buy ahead and pick up some cute little onesies for the new year!
  4. Pacifiers and Pacifier Clips
    • If you have a baby who takes a paci, I really recommend getting a set of pacifiers that glow in the dark. We are very MAM loyal in this house, so our stocking will definitely include several of those this year. These are REALLY helpful when your baby may lose their paci in the middle of the night and need help finding it. A cute paci clip is also a great idea to go along with it!
  5. Shoes and Socks
    • While getting socks and shoes in your stocking may not be so exciting to a bigger kid, you can certainly get away with it with a 6-9 month old! They’ll soon be walking, so go ahead and get them a good pair of non-trip shoes. I personally love Pediped shoes. They have a leather soul as opposed to a rubber one. Rubber souls can be easier to trip on when you’re just learning how to walk. Pedipeds are perfect for early walkers and are really high quality! Don’t forget to get some new socks, too!
  6. Teethers
    • Teething is in FULL swing at this age. Put some cute little teething toys in the stocking this year! I wrote a full article about 4 fabulous teething toys that we are loving right now! You can read all about them here.
  7. Feeding Utensils
    • Babies begin eating solids by 6 months of age. Now is a great time to stock up on some great feeding gear for the little one! I recommend a few different things:
    • The Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder is great to put fresh fruits and other foods in without worrying about the baby choking.
    • The Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowl helps make meal time a little less messy. The bowl suctions to the table or high chair lid, making it much harder for baby to grab and throw!
    • Squeeze Pouches like the Little Green Reusable Food Pouch are awesome! If your baby loves those puree pouches you can find in store, consider this product! You can save LOTS of money by making the purees yourself and using reusable pouches.
  8. Training cups
    • They may not be ready for them just yet, but I recommend going ahead and getting a good training cup with handles for baby to practice with. These Soft Spout Training Cups by Dr. Brown’s are a great choice to help baby become a little more independent and transition from bottle to sippy cup.
  9. SippiGrip
    • The SippiGrip is a game changer! If there’s one things babies love to do, it’s THROW ALL THE THINGS! For some reason, babies just think it’s hilarious to watch you pick up their toys/bottles/cups etc over and over again. But no more! You can attach their cups and toys to the SippiGrip and then attach the lanyard to their highchair or stroller to prevent them from throwing stuff all over the place. It may be going in the baby’s stocking, but it’s really for you, parents! 😉
  10. Splat Mat
    • For the sake of your sanity, you need this item. For real. Remember me saying how much babies love to throw things? The same is totally true for their food, too. The splat mat goes up under your high chair and protects your floor from flying baby food. HOORAY! When a mess is made, you just wipe clean with a paper towel! SO much better than getting out the spot shot!
  11.  Snacks/puffs
    • Assuming the baby has already gotten used to solids, they probably LOVE little snack puffs. I’ve never seen a baby NOT like them, actually. Spring for the good stuff on this one, too. I recommend trying an organic option if you don’t already! Happy Baby Organic Puffs are a great choice!
  12. Cute diapers or diaper covers
    • Have you considered giving cloth diapering a try? If you’re unsure about modern cloth, I have two reviews that just may help you out. You can find them here and here. My FAVORITE online boutique to purchase all things cloth related is Sweet Bottoms Baby Boutique – specifically..the Buttons diapers! (Plus, they have FREE shipping!)
  13. Flash cards/board books
    • Babies at this age are getting more and more curious by the day. Now is a great time to introduce them to flash cards! While they won’t read for a while, it’s never too early to start getting them familiar with words and pictures. Board books are also great for babies this age. They may not be able to hold their attention to the story for very long, but at least you don’t have to worry about the pages ripping when they grab it! And trust me, grab it they will! 🙂
  14. Personalized Sticker Labels
    • These are a great way to keep up with little things that may frequently get lost if your baby attends a daycare or if they are frequently around other kids. It helps others know what item belongs to who. This is especially great for bottles and sippy cups and can help prevent the spread of germs by letting others know which cup should be going in a babies mouth.
  15. Learning Toys
    • Babies typically love things that make sound. My little one loves trying to figure out where noise comes from, and she loves to make noise herself! I would say anything that is easy to grab, makes noise, and doesn’t require batteries would be a good fit for this category. This little 4 Piece Baby Band Set by Hohner would be a great choice! It encourages babies to learn while making music, and it’ll fit in the stocking. It’s a win/win!

What are some other items that you’re getting for a little one in your life? Do you have any other great ideas for stocking stuffers for babies? I’d certainly love to hear about them! Leave a comment below!

Our Top 4 Teething Toy Picks

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Alright, y’all. Let’s talk a little bit about teething.

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Eh, let’s not”. And truthfully, I don’t blame you. Teething is the pits! It’s like this mean little monster that sneaks into your home, takes your sweet little baby and turns them into a fussy little drool machine. In fact, as I’m typing this I’m watching my daughter in the baby monitor. She has apparently woken up and is squirming around in her crib gnawing on the edge of one of her pacifiers. AND now she’s screaming. Sigh. If my thoughts here seem intrupted, it’s because they are. #RealLife

Anyway, back to teething. Wooho! My little Drooly McTeetherson child is constantly gnawing on her fingers to try and get relief, and sometimes she tries to fit her whole hand in her mouth. I can really tell when her gums are bothering her and it breaks my heart. Sure, we have a few different remedies that help a little, but sometimes even the strongest teething salve just doesn’t seem to touch it.

I’m not here to bring you life changing advice or to offer a supreme remedy for teething, unfortunately. (If you know of one, though, please share!) However, I am going to share with you 4 little things we just couldn’t live without during this season in our lives.

Top Teeting Toys for Babies

 

We have TONS of teething toys for her, but we have a choosy little one on our hands. She’ll typically gnaw on other teether toys for a few seconds and then toss them, but she has 4 specific teethers that you’d think might as well be her BFF for life. Seriously.

These are the teethers that make our world go round. The ones that I probably should have more than one of…as in one for every room in the house. The ones that I would probably definitely cry a little if I couldn’t find it. If you’re a parent and have had a fussy teething baby, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

So without further adieu, here are our little golden chew nuggets:

Top 4 teething toys

  1. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe
    • Made of the highest quality baby crack on the market, this little teether will likely never leave your baby’s side. SERIOUSLY, y’all. I don’t know what this giraffe is made out of, but it’s like a moth to the flame with my child. The texture is almost flesh-like. Seems a little weird to me, but if she likes it, I like it! It’s certainly on the pricey end ($19.99), but it’s worth its weight in gold in this house.
  2. Nuby Natural Touch Teethers
    • These are actually back teethers, but my baby chews on them in the front, in the back, upside down, sideways, etc. She doesn’t care! She specifically likes the one shaped like a hand. I guess since she chews so much on her own hand, she thinks she’s struck gold by having more fingers to chew on. Who knows! She loves it, though! These come in a two pack and are more affordable at just $12.00
  3. Lifefactory Multi Sensory Silicone Teether
    • We actually inherited this teether from someone. I’m not sure if it previously belonged to my sister’s children, or if a friend of ours gave it to us in a box of baby stuff she wanted us to have. Whoever it was, THANK YOU! Let’s high-five, because this one is a home run! It has 4 different teething textures for baby to chew on, and our little girl loves trying out each one. It’s super easy to grab and hold on to, and she loves to wave it around in the air. These also come in a two pack are are usually priced at around $12.00.
  4. Razbaby RaZ-berry Teether
    • A good friend of mine gifted this little gem to our daughter. It looks just like a raspberry stuck to the end of a pacifier. It’s adorable, y’all. It has bumps all over that my baby loves to gnaw on. She doesn’t stop there, though. She also likes to chew the leaves! This one is easy to attach to a paci-clip so they can’t throw it on the floor, which I really appreciate. This one is super affordable, coming in at around $5.00

I hope this little teething toy guide helps out the teething baby in your life! These are the top 4 teething toy picks that have worked the best for us. If you have a baby registry or are looking for a great gift to give for a baby shower, I encourage you to consider these!

What teething toys does/did your little one love to chew? Did any of the ones I mentioned make your list? I’d love to hear what works or has worked for you!

Southern Made Simple is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. Although I participate in these programs and have sponsored posts, all opinions are my own.

Diapers That Are Cute As A Button! {Buttons Cloth Diaper Review + Video}

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Before I was even pregnant with my daughter, I knew that I wanted to give modern cloth diapers a try. I always love when people ask me about cloth diapering my child and tilt their head and give me a concerned look. It cracks me up! Seriously, I think people automatically assume that I bust out the safety pins and linens to diaper my child. I often have to take a step back and realize that even though modern cloth has been increasing in popularity over the last 10-ish years, many people still just don’t know about it. They think nothing has really changed since, I don’t know, the 1950’s?

But y’all, modern cloth rocks! It is leaps and bounds better than it was all those years ago. Heck, it’s leaps and bounds better today than it was last year, and the year before that, and so on! It just gets better. Every time you turn around, someone has found a way to improve modern cloth to make it easier for parents and better for baby.

When people approach me and want to know how to get started with cloth, they often ask me what brand they should buy. My answer is always this: Don’t buy just one brand! In my opinion, it’s important to buy multiple brands, because each brand may have something different to offer. What I mean is, certain brands may not fit your baby well, or you may not like the style, or maybe you find that they don’t do that great of a job. By trying multiple brands, you’ll find what works best for your baby. Once you find a brand that you love, you can then make a larger purchase. I have several diaper brands that I love, and some that I just don’t. I would have never known had I not decided to try several different kinds!

Cloth Diapers that are cute as a button! Buttons Cloth Diaper - Review

One of my favorite brands is Buttons Diapers. Hands down. I have fallen head over heals in love them for the following reasons:

  1. Ease of use:
    • There’s no stuffing. There’s no taking FOREVER to dry. There’s no awkward bulk. You just snap in a Buttons brand insert and go! So easy!
    • You can also reuse the cover through multiple changes if it doesn’t get soiled. If it’s just a wet diaper, unsnap the insert and pop in another one. Hooray for less laundry!
  2. The Prints:
    • I’m not sure I really need to elaborate much here. You can see some of the adorable prints for yourself. Check them out!
  3. The Double Gussets:
    • Double gussets are one of my favorite features of ANY cloth diaper. Not all cloth diapers have them, but all Buttons brand diapers have them. They are so great and helping keep all contents of the diaper INSIDE the diaper. Double gussets are actually not specific to Buttons. I’m not sure who created this trend in diapers, but I want to hug them and invite them over for dinner. Seriously.
  4. The inserts:
    • They rock. I love love love them! They hold up really nicely and are very absorbent. I currently only have the daytime microfiber inserts, but I’ve put a word in with Santa Claus on Taralynn’s behalf. She’s got her eye on those nighttime doublers! 😉
  5. The Price:
    • From my experience, I’ve seen prices for cloth diapers range all over the board. I’ve seen some “China cheapies” for as low as $2, and I’ve seen some beautiful hand made diapers on Etsy as high as $60-$70+. We don’t purchase the cheapies (you get what you pay for), and I just can’t even fathom paying $60 for a diaper. Buttons are such an affordable option, coming in at just $11 for solid colors and $12.50 for prints. The inserts are sold separately. You can pick up a 3 pack for just $10.50! For the cost of 2 packs of disposable diapers, you can have a diaper that can be reused and will fit your child until they’re ready to potty train. Win/win!

Are your diapers cute as a button? Buttons cloth diaper - Review

 

My daughter and I put together this short little video clip to give you a full view of the Buttons Diapers – inside and out! If you’re new to cloth diapers and are looking for a great starter diaper, I think these are a great option. If you’re a cloth diaper veteran and have never tried Buttons before, DO IT! I think you’ll really like them!

I have not been compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are strictly my own. I only share what I love!

This and That for Kids – A Great Place to Shop Smocked!

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I think there’s this unwritten rule in the South that thou shalt dress thy children in all things smocked and monogrammed. And Lord knows, y’all.. I’ve always been a rule follower. 😉

Now, don’t get me wrong here. Not everyone loves smocked clothing, and that’s okay! (More for me! I kid) But it is definitely a trend that has stuck around since I don’t even know when. It’s simply timeless and so supremely Southern that I just can’t get enough of it. In fact, the first articles of clothing I bought when I found out I was having a little girl were 7 beautiful smocked dressed. I hung them so proudly in her little closet while I awaited her arrival. And true story – I cried the first time I saw her wear one. You may think I’m a little crazy, but at least I wear my crazy well. 🙂

Smocked clothing isn’t always the easiest to find, and it’s always on the pricey end. If you can find a store where you have a big selection of smocked and monogrammed clothing at decent prices, well darlin’ you’ve found a golden egg!

I recently stumbled across a great little online smock shop called This and That for Kids. It’s a great place to shop smocked!They have an awesome collection and the prices are pretty good, too! Right now, they’re having a fantastic sale on their Fall and Holiday apparel. Hello, Christmas shopping!!

My daughter is all ready for Thanksgiving!  She’s proudly showing of her brand new hand smocked turkey bishop dress, which is currently on sale for just $39.00! Gobble gobble!

Turkey1

 With shipping being a flat rate $3.00 and FREE on orders over $50, it’s hard not to add everything to my cart! When you sign up for their mailing list, they’ll also send you a 10% off coupon! *(insert happy dance here*)

 Since Christmas is quickly approaching, I’ve got my eye on a few items from their Holiday collection. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Applique-Santa-Face-Turquoise-Gingham-Girl_s-Peasant-Dress_large Hand_Smocked_Santa_and_Christmas_Trees_Aqua_White_Pokadots_Girl_s_Bishop_DressHand_Smocked_White_Christmas_Stockings_Girl_s_Bishop_Dress_large Hand-Smocked-Santa-Faces-Aqua-Gingham-Girl_s-Bishop-DressHand_Smocked_Crosses_Red_Girl_s_Bishop_Dress_large Hand-Smocked-Snowman-Turquoise-_-White-Pin-Dots-Girl_s-Bishop-Dress

I can’t wait to see what they put out in the Spring for Easter! If you’ve been looking for a place to shop for smocked clothing online, I encourage you to give This and That Kids a look. You won’t be disappointed!

I have not been compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are my own. I am just sharing what I love!

Newton Crib Mattress Review

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Newton Crib Mattress Review

One important nursery item to research - Newton Crib Mattress Review

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I put so much thought into how her nursery would look. I spent hours finding the perfect bedding and researching other items that she would need to make her nursery complete. Unfortunately, I didn’t put much time or thought into one very important item. I’m sharing all about it over on Stuff Parents Need  right now! Head on over and take a look! While you’re there, leave a comment and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear what you think!

Newton Crib Mattress Review

See what other exciting baby items I’m talking about by visiting here!

Thanksgiving Turkey Hair Bow

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Thanksgiving Turkey Hair Bow

It’s been one full week since the launch of Southern Made Simple, and I have been absolutely blown away by all of the support I’ve received! I genuinely feel so encouraged by all of the kind words I’ve heard from others. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To celebrate a successful first week, I decided to do a quick giveaway. Yesterday I shared a fun little DIY project on how to make a turkey ribbon sculpture. I’m giving away a Thanksgiving Turkey Hair Bow to one of you! You MUST enter through the widget below. If you have any questions about how to enter, please let me know! The giveaway will run until Friday, November 13th.

Thanksgiving Turkey Hair Bow

Also, please follow me on any/all of my social media outlets so you can stay updated on future giveaways!

 

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Review

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During my pregnancy, one of the things on my humongous to-research list was baby wearing and baby carriers. I watched my sister and brother-in-law carry both of their girls in a baby carrier, and it definitely piqued my interest. I loved the idea of holding on to your baby while having both hands free, but I was skeptical that it would only add unnecessary exhaustion and back pain. Once I started my research, I looked heavily at BabyBjörn brand carriers.

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Review - Southern Made Simple

I was very fortunate to be gifted with a few baby carriers during my pregnancy. I currently have 3 different BabyBjörn models that I love very much, but the all-star out of the bunch is definitely the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One. Because of it’s ability to grow with your baby from newborn to age 3, it’s marketed to be the only baby carrier you’ll ever need. It’s a pretty sweet deal, honestly!

Here are a few features I’m lovin’ about the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One:

  • Grows with baby
    • Newborn-3 years (or 8 lbs-33 lbs)
  • 4 Carrying Positions
    • Newborn carrying position (Inward facing)
      • No infant insert required! This carrier has a neat little zipper feature to allow you to adjust the height the baby will sit at depending on their size.
    • Lower height inward facing position
    • Front facing position (Currently my daughter’s favorite! She’s a nosy little thing, so she wants to see what’s going on at all times)
    • Back carrying position
  • Sturdy and comfortable support straps
    • Remember that back pain that I was concerned about? It doesn’t exist for me with this carrier. It just doesn’t happen. And I’m SO THRILLED about it! The support straps are very thick and padded, making this carrier super comfortable for myself and my daughter. When the straps are positioned properly, they help to evenly distribute the weight of the baby, making it easy on the ol’ back.
  • Hip healthy carrier
    • This carrier has been tested by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and allows for the baby’s hips to be held in a position where the legs are angled outward. This is an important feature to look for in a baby carrier as it helps promote healthy hip joint development.
  • Machine Washable
    • Babies spit up. They just do. If you use your carrier regularly, it’s going to get dirty, and depending on the babies age, it’ll get spit up on. Some products like this require you to hand wash and spot treat. But seriously, y’all. Ain’t nobody got time for that!  I love that I can just toss this in the wash and not worry about it!
  • Folds compact
    •  There is also a way that you can fold this carrier up into a neat little compact square for easy storage that takes up minimal space. For me, asking me to fold something up neatly immediately makes me feel anxious and sort of defeated. Luckily, folding up this carrier isn’t that hard. It also helps that I have a hubby who’s incredibly patient with me and helps me with this sort of thing. Thanks, love!
  • Ease of Use
    • It’s very simple to get baby in and out of this carrier. Check out the instructional video from BabyBjörn below. It really gives a great demonstration of how to easily and effectively use the Baby Carrier One. There’s even a few helpful tips and features at the end!

 
The BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One is currently available on Amazon for just $105.73, marked down from $189.95. If you’re currently on the market for a baby carrier, I think this is a wonderful option!
 
What are some features that you look for in a baby carrier? Have you ever tried BabyBjörn products before? I’d love to hear about it!
   





Disclosure: Southern Made Simple is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. Although I participate in these programs and have sponsored posts, all opinions are my own.

Simba and Mama Cloth Diaper Review

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Have you heard about Simba and Mama pocket cloth diapers? They’re a brand new company in the cloth diaper world, and they are already doing big and wonderful things!

Simba & Mama Cloth Diaper Review + Video - Southern Made SImple

When you purchase one pocket diaper from Simba and Mama (available on Amazon), one will be donated to a baby and mama in Bali, Indonesia. I love sharing the cloth love with others, and I am thrilled that modern cloth is becoming available to the Balinese people through this company. Check out my review below to hear my thoughts about the fit, price, and company as a whole!

Simba & Mama Cloth Diaper Review + Video - Southern Made SImple

Simba & Mama Cloth Diaper Review + Video - Southern Made SImple