Our Crib: Graco Travel Lite Crib

I just received this Graco Travel Lite Crib with Stages yesterday and I am glad I finally bought it after months of pondering (2 weeks before my due date). 

It was a last minute decision since we already have the Graco Pack N Play Playard as a gift. But, I was intrigued by the reviews and specs of the Travel Lite Crib, particularly its smaller size. So, when I saw a mark down price in its Spin pattern at Babies R Us, I decided to order it right away. From $109+, I got it at $82+ tax. 

We needed a smaller crib, where the baby can sleep inside our room. We're just renting an apartment here in CA and we can't afford to have a separate nursery room yet. When I assembled the crib, it was a perfect fit right beside our bed. 

I think we'll be able to use it for the first 3 months. After which, I'll switch to the Play Yard, with bigger space, when the baby starts to roll over. We can also use it for travel or just a play pen outside the room. 

Here are the main features from Graco Website:

Features

• One-of-a-kind, height-adjustable bassinet grows with your baby
• Versatile crib easily converts to a portable playard
• Weighs less than 20 pounds, so it’s ready to go anywhere
• 20% smaller than our traditional playards for easy in-room fit
• Compact fold, so you’re ready to go anywhere
• Signature Graco® push-button fold makes closing your playard quick and hassle-free
• Removable infant bassinet is perfect for sleeping
• Quilted mattress pad creates a comfortable sleep space
• Canopy with soft toys to soothe baby
• Airy mesh on all sides for maximum ventilation
• Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage.

For the mattress/pad included in the crib, I also ordered a mattress sheet for it. I think it is safer to use the right sheet cover that fits it, to avoid dangers of suffocation. 

So far, I am satisfied with my purchase. I am excited to see my baby in there in a couple of weeks. 

Choosing Your Baby/Diaper Bag

Baby bag --- this is your travel companion while you're with your infant up until toddler years. There are a lot of available options now for your baby bag, from different designers and brands. So, how do you choose which one to get? Let me share my personal criteria:

1. Size. How many baby items do you intend to carry? On a regular day, you need diapers, wipes, change of clothes, burp cloths, and a blanket. If you're bottle feeding, you need bottles, water and milk container. You might want to add an extra shirt for you, in case of accidents. Aside from the baby items, do you plan to put yout personal stuff in there, too?

Personally, I used bigger baby bags when my son was below 1 year old. But as he gets older, I can manage using a 9 x13 x 5 inch length bag for a 2-3 hour trip outside the house.

2. Straps. Are you comfortable using regular shoulder handles or you want it crossbody or longer ones. I like both. There are baby bags with adjustable shoulder straps. So you have to option to  shorten or lengthen it. My hubby likes long straps because he has broad/wider shoulders. Whether you prefer long or short straps, make sure the strap is thick enough to support the weight of your bag and all the baby items in it. Carrying your baby around is already heavy enough, you need proper support for your baby bag, too. 

3. Pockets & Compartments. These help you organize your stuff. You want to be able to fish out the baby items fast and with ease. It'll be nice if your bag has 2 big compartments to separate food and non-food items. Then you need the small pockets for small items like binkies.

4. Bag Closures. I prefer and recommed bags with zipper closures. You have a lot of baby items in there and the last thing you want is your items falling out of the bag when you accidentally trip it somewhere. I've seen a lot of baby bags with open tops and just magnetic closures and they really turn me off no matter how nice the design or how right the size is. 

5. Color & Design. I would recommedbd gender neutral bags in terms of color and design especially if you and your husband might be using it alternately. If you really want that pink bag for your baby girl, just make sure you have a spare black, blue, or gray one for your hubby to use. Some husbands may not mind the color and design, but some do, too. So better to be on the safe side

6. Material. Nylon? Canvas? Leather? The lightest ones are the nylons. They are easy to clean, too. Canvas are light, too, but usually easy to get dirty. Although, there are coated canvas too that repels dirt and easier to clean. Leather are not common just because they are heavy and may not survive spills and liquid splashes. 

7. Price. There are a lot of brands and options in the market. You'll find a large, roomy, and sturdy enough baby bag between $30 - $80 (Carter's, JJ Cole, Skip Hop). A mid-level branded baby bags from $150-$400 (Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Coach, Michael Kors). Or luxury baby bags for $800 and up (Gucci, Prada, Burberry). Regardless of your budget, you have a lot of options out there. 

So what's my diaper bag?

For now, I have 3:

1. Rebecca Minkoff Knocked Up Diaper Bag. It retails for $345. But I got it on a good deal at Amazon for $120 November last year. Now, it's up on its regular price again. What I like about this is that it's simple, but with gold hardware. It has a long adjustable thick strap, a handle that fits my shoulder and extra stroller straps. I like that it has small compartments inside and it also has a changing pad. It's made of nylon with leather trims, and comes with zipper closure. It has side pockets for bottles, too. The only downside on this bag is that it is a bit heavy than I would have wanted.

2. Juicy Couture Nouvelle Pop Nylon Baby Bag. It retails for $248, but Juicy Couture offers a lot of sale and promos that I got it for around $70 only. It is made of nylon, light weight, has adjustable thick straps, zipper closure, a changing pad, and enough room for me. 

3. Lesportsac Deluxe Everyday Bag. It retails for $80, but I got it a discount again and end up around $50 only. This is not a baby bag, but somehow its compartments have been useful for my baby stuff. It's small, just enough for a short trip to the playground, playgroup, or running errands with your kid. There are 2 major compartments. One I use for my son's diaper and wipes, and extra set of clothes. The other one is where I put his water bottle and snacks. The smaller pockets in front is where I put my keys, sunblock, hand sanitizer, and other small stuff. There's another pocket at the back where I sometimes put my small wallet or other personal stuff. I can carry it crossbody or as a shoulder bag. I let my hubby use it too when he takes my son to the park. It is very useful, easy to clean, washable, and lightweight. It comes in a lot of design, too.

In choosing your baby bag, it's really up to your need and preferences. Sometimes it takes a couple of misses before you find the right bag for you. You just have to know what your need is, so that you'll find the right one to fill that need. 

Who Determines the Gender of Your Baby?

I always wanted both a boy and a girl for our children. My first born is a boy, that's why I was a hoping for a girl for my second baby. But, 12 weeks into pregnancy, after doing the Panorama test, we already found out the gender and... it's a boy.

I checked a Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar with my age and the month I conceived, it should be a girl, they say. Nah...  

During my first 2 months of pregnancy, I was very sensitive to smell, vomiting morning and afternoons, and very weak. I was also very picky with what I eat. Compared to my first pregnancy, it was a very different experience. I already thought I was having a girl because they say the morning sickness is worse for those having a girl. I was wrong, again.

A friend of ours, who got pregnant two weeks later than us, is having a girl. My husband's office is organizing a group baby shower for the family of their employees, 3 of them are having girls, and we are the only one who is having a boy. 

So, who's responsible for the gender of your baby? 

I researched ('googled') a bit and they say Men determines the gender of their children.
Here's the link: Boy Or Girl? It's In The Father's Genes 

Date: December 12, 2008
Source: Newcastle University
Summary: A study of hundreds of years of family trees suggests a man's genes play a role in him having sons or daughters. Men inherit a tendency to have more sons or more daughters from their parents. This means that a man with many brothers is more likely to have sons, while a man with many sisters is more likely to have daughters.


Men born from a father who have only sons, are more likely to have only sons, themselves. And men born from fathers with daughters is more likely to be able to produce daughters, too. 

Hmmm... My husband has 2 brothers, no sisters. My father has 6 sisters and 4 brothers. He has 5 daughters and 1 son. My cousin's husband has a sister and a brother. Now, they have 2 daughters and a son. Hmmm... interesting...

I conceived my first baby a few days before my ovulation day. I conceived my second baby a few days after my ovulation day. Both of them are boys, regardless. 

Oh well, we can test again the theory with a third child. But then again, after reading the article, I am no longer inclined to. I'm okay with 2 boys. They can share their toys and clothes. They'll play basketball or soccer together. They might even have a double date in the future. But yeah, I'm good with two, for now... 😊