Jess Dang Jess Dang is the Founder of Cook Smarts where she also wears the hat of Chief Kitchen Coach. She left the corporate world in 2011 to start Cook Smarts because she was passionate about bringing food education back to our schools and family dinners back into our lives. Follow me here
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Congratulations!! We added an IKEA metal shelf you can also hang pots from and then just a hanging rod. It made such a difference and freed up an entire cabinet. It also looks really nice!
Congratulations! I hope you're feeling well.
For baby gear, the one thing I would do differently is buy more used. It's so silly to buy new everything to use for a couple of years. High chairs, strollers, etc.
One inexpensive thing we loved was the Splat Mat. Under the high chair as a baby, and then transitions to a great art mat as they grow older.
For roll out shelving, we used this guy and were very happy. My before and after pics are included. https://www.yelp.com/biz/roll-out-shelves-san-francisco
We also didn't find out the sex for our first baby. I had these romantic images in my head of our delight at hearing, "It's a ____!" But after so many hours of labor, my reaction was more along the lines of "That's good. Can I sleep now?"
Jess!!! Congrats! So happy for you!!
Brandi
The ONE BEST purchase we made was an exercise ball. My newborn (currently six weeks old) absolutely loves it when I hold her and sit on it to bounce. It is sometimes the only thing that will calm her and it puts her to sleep like magic.
Congratulations. With the arrival of my second, I was too busy to plan meals so I joined a meal planning site called cooksmarts. Totally recommend it. Oh wait...
I second the comment to buy used. Or just accept hand me downs from friends. Then when you're done, pass it on to another mama and keep the love going.
Congratulations!
Here is something my first born did.
A couple of years ago, my husband and I went on a cruise. Before we left, I gave my Lowe's card to our son. When we returned, Son and his wife had installed those wire shelving units in all 6 of our lower kitchen cabinets. They are great!
So are first borns. And second born daughter is equally great. :)
Congrats Jess! I know you will be an amazing mom and that your baby will be one of the best fed kid out there! Love your kitchen organization tips! When my kids were babies, I loved ice cube containers for making purees and had the Beaba for making them, but I'm sure there are great options out there now as that was a few years back. Best of luck on your new parenting adventures!
Congratulations Jess! Eric and I are both so excited for you both!