Tag Archives: lindsay bell

Mama Bell and LB’s Baby Must-Haves

Greetings, all!

The blog this week is brought to you by the one and only Lindsay Bell! Both her and Ma Bell went to register for the first time, where they were introduced to the longest list they’ve ever seen. Ma Bell was able to quickly cut that list in half as they roamed the store. Here are the essentials they came up with for first time moms that are a bit overwhelmed by the list.

1. Sleepy Baby

  • Crib
  • Crib mattress
  • Sound machine
  • Swaddle blankets
  • Crib bedding set
  • Fitted crib sheets (at least 4)
  • Monitor
  • Humidifier

Bedroom Accessories

  • Changing table
  • Changing pad (if it doesn’t come in the diaper bag)
  • Changing table pad covers
  • Dresser
  • Hamper
  • Hangers

2. Mobile Baby

  • Car seat
  • Running stroller
  • Easy travel stroller
  • Diaper bag

3. Playtime Baby

  • Infant swing or bouncer
  • Play yard
  • Baby gym
  • Infant toys
  • Books
  • Music on  your iPad

4. Dress Up Baby

  • Body suits
  • Sleep and play
  • Side snap shirts
  • Pants
  • Socks
  • Caps, mittens, booties

5. Hungry Baby

  • Breast pump (rent or buy from a friend if you can)
  • Nursing pads
  • Breast milk storage containers
  • Nursing covers
  • Nursing support pillow
  • Bottles (different sizes) and nipples
  • Bibs
  • Burping cloths
  • Pacifiers
  • High chair

6. Clean Up Baby

  • Diapers (huggies are our favorites)
  • Wipes
  • Diaper cream
  • Diaper pail
  • Bathtub
  • Towels
  • Wash clothes
  • Shampoo, body wash, and lotion

7. Healthy Baby

  • Grooming kit
  • Thermometer
  • Nasal aspirator
  • Baby laundry detergent (we love this!)
  • Think about baby proofing (gates, outlet covers, etc.)

 

Special thanks to Mama Bell for her baby expertise! See you all next week.

-LB

Mom_LindsWedding

Written by our Founder & President, Lindsay Bell!

BFL – Sleep Training

Did anyone read the NY Times article on March 26th about Sleep Training at 8 weeks: Do you have the Guts? Tribeca Pediatrics, one of the largest pediatric practices in NYC, swears by it. They started the sleep training concept at 4 months, then 3, then again at 2 months to prove the theory. Obviously just because one way works for one family, doesn’t mean it works as well for the next. Do keep that in mind!

I’m not sure if I think I will take the plunge at 8 weeks. From my experience as a childcare provider & running a sitter and nanny placement service for nearly 10 years, I believe there is a fourth trimester for both the mother & baby. I’ve interviewed countless mothers during that period, which if you’re lucky is 3 months after the baby’s birth. From the mothers that I have spoke to, they are not ready to let go & it doesn’t seem like the babies are either. I do think the babies sense their mother’s anxiety, so if the mother is upset or nervous or simply not ready, the baby will sense that & react in the same manner.

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However, there is this thing called sleep that we all need. So I completely understand wanting to start at 8 weeks if the parents need sleep as they may have to get back to work and cannot function without it. Talk with your partner on what you are ready for, and then try it out. Just be ready when its go time!

Lindsay Bell

WWW – Weekend with the Kids

My weekends typically were filled with non-stop babysitting during  my 20s. I babysat All. The. Time. & I loved it

Since my toddler nieces were born, I have filled in as much as I can for a true taste of working momness and I get the sweet memories of my babysitting days.

A few weeks ago, my new husband & I ventured to NJ to stay for a weekend with the ‘nugs’ as my family calls them. They are very cheerful and love to get into everything. My husband was constantly surprised how fast they could make it up their highchair side when you looked away for one second, or when you followed them into the bathroom, and they are already climbing to get on top of the toilet.

They are really funny.

Do any of your kids fake sneeze? These two fake sneeze all the time. & then they laugh about it.  And both of them get this face when they say ‘ohhhh No’ & hold their head like they are in real distress. Its hysterical.

Their favorite activity is being pulled in a wagon. Here’s a picture of us pulling them along looking at Halloween décor. They don’t cry one bit, just are so observant as we point out all the different trees, houses & pumpkins to look at.

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These two nugs certainly are getting heavy. They weigh 25lbs each, so when my husband went to get dinner, I lugged them both up stairs & gave them a bath.

Then bedtime for them. But not for me, at all. They were generally good sleepers, but I was not. I got up every 30 minutes to check on them and make sure they were still breathing. Every noise I heard, I got up & looked around. I used to do that babysitting too, I can’t help it.

All in all, its just so fun being around kiddies. I love teaching my sitters all the tricks I’ve learned over the years. I’m sure I will have more to come when I have my own one day.

– Lindsay Bell is the founder of Bell Family and pictures of her nieces are frequently the stuff of fodder in our posts.  

Bell Family Loves… WEDDINGS!

Bell Family Loves… Weddings!

Especially when they’re part of the Bell Family! This weekend our very own BFC President, Lindsay Bell got married to another of our very own, BFC Investor, Brad Wallace.

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Now we can officially call that keeping it in the family!

The Bridal party
The Bridal party

The wedding was located at Church of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village, followed by a NYC reception. Everyone had a wonderful time. More pictures and stories to come!

Congratulations to our fearless leader, Lindsay Bell Wallace!

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Guilt: Working Women

Over the past month I have met a number of different women, all with fascinating backgrounds, for coffee to talk business, share ideas, seek mentorship, and discuss triumphs and struggles. 

Despite the different stages in life each are in (20s, 30s, 40s & 50s) there seems to be the general over harking struggle with guilt.

I don’t have enough time for my friends, boyfriend, partner, fiancé, or husband.

I never feel like I get ahead.

Me time does not exist.

Taking some time out for some "me time" with my sister
Taking some time out for some “me time” with my sister

I work too much. I am home too little.

I should go to the gym more.

I didn’t eat all day or I have been over eating.

I don’t get to see my family enough, I can’t keep up with everyone’s birthdays, celebrations, etc.

Even though this sounds like complaining, it was actually a relief to hear that all these women are feeling the same types of pressure.

Sheryl Sandberg wrote a lot about guilt in her book Lean In. Even as successful as she is now, she still struggles with balancing work with personal, while trying not to feel bad all the time.

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I think making small adjustments such as no phones at the table with your fiancé or setting call dates with mom every other day is the step in the right direction of balance, but I am still trying to figure out what works for me.

Lindsay Bell is the President of Bell Family Company