Yes, it is possible to experience peace, tranquility, and calm on a family outing

Watch your entire family zen out before your eyes during a visit to the historic Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park. A must-see for locals and tourists alike, the Japanese Garden is made up of eight unique, smaller gardens and is renowned for being one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. Plus, it’s only a stone’s throw away from many of Portland’s other family-friendly spots like the Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Garden, and the World Forestry Center. Make a day of it, pack a picnic, and get ready to learn, explore, and discover all sorts of new things right in your own backyard.

the tea house at the portland Japanese Garden sits in the distance beyond trees on an overcast day
Tyler Quinn

Step Back in Time

Designed in 1963, the grounds now encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles. Leisurely explore each one while taking in a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. From the lush, vivid greens of the Strolling Pond Garden to the stark, empty space (or ma) of the Sand and Stone Garden, each style highlights unique aspects of Japanese garden design. Be sure to check out the Kashintei Tea House in the Tea Garden, which is where you will often find tea demonstrations and gatherings.

a weeping cherry blossom at the flat garden at Portland Japanese Garden
Jonathan Ley

Garden Highlights

The Japanese Garden sprawls and sways into five verdant gardens: Flat Garden, Tea Garden, Strolling Pond, Sand & Stone Garden and Natural Garden. Spending time in each will give your crew a real sense of how mighty this place is. Everything has a reason and a there’s a reason for everything. Legions of volunteers work tirelessly to make this spot the pristine venue for all that it is; how incredible is their collective attention to detail.

Your kids will love trekking into the Japanese Garden. It’s an uphill trail of twists and turns, ready to set imaginations soaring. Once you arrive prepare to take in its splendor. Set the young amblers towards temples, a poetry stone, koi ponds, and gorgeous bridges. Keep those eyes peeled for whimsical statues, colorful flags, and symbolic artifacts at every turn.

Water is everywhere. You’ll see waterfalls, ponds, and water features throughout the grounds. Also abundant is stone. Stone pathways and steps, stone statues and monuments, and stone lion dogs are but some of the many interpretations. Nothing is without thought and purpose here.

stairs in the trees lead to a cultural village at the Portland Japanese Garden
James Florio

Festivals & Celebrations at the Portland Japanese Garden

Be sure to stop by the immersive Cultural Center where you can learn more about traditional Japanese arts, enjoy seasonal activities, and watch demonstrations and performances. Sit in on a flower arranging demonstration, try your hand at ink painting, or bang your hearts out at a Taiko workshop.

There are also a variety of Japanese celebrations observed at the Japanese Garden—from Hina Matsuri (Doll’s Day) in March to O-Tsukimi, the Moon Viewing Festival at the end of September. Be sure to check the website before booking a ticket to see what’s going on that day.

You can also check out the Zagunis Castle Wall—an authentic, Japanese medieval-style castle wall built using traditional hand tools. Pretty cool, right?

Know Before You Go:

1. It’s a circular journey around the garden, but it is not always stroller friendly. If you’re bringing babies or just-walkers, try a carrier. New walkers may struggle with the stone paths, boardwalks without railings, and uneven steps.

2. There are also plenty of off-limit spots to visitors, and the garden is a tranquil environment, so go when your kiddos are fresh and mellow.

3. No outside food or drink is allowed inside the garden, so snack it up before you arrive.

4. If you’re thinking of turning the garden into your own photo shoot, remember there is a $10 tripod fee.

Hours: Wed.-Mon., 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; closed Tue.
Cost: $20/adult; $14/kids, 6-17; $17/seniors; Free, kid 5 & under;

The Portland Japanese Garden
611 S.W. Kingston Ave.
Portland
Online: japanesegarden.org

Here’s what to do when your child gets three of the same toy for Christmas

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone’s holiday resembled a scene depicted in a Norman Rockwell painting? It’s just not realistic—and where’s the fun in that, anyway? Smiles and tantrums, calm and kerfuffles, serenity, and debacles are all the things that make the holidays unpredictable and beautiful. Our holiday survival guide includes a list of possible snafus and tips to help you keep your cool.

Possible Snafu: Meltdowns on Santa’s Lap

holiday survival guide tip: what to do when they meet santa
_drz_via Unsplash

Imagine you’re standing in the line of melting children and anxious parents waiting to overpay for that annual snapshot with the mall Santa. It's your turn and suddenly one of your little angels develops an irrational fear of all things Santa. Mr. Claus props your kid up like a wet noodle as you’re looking for the nearest exit.

Holiday Survival Guide Tip: What's the problem here? A cheesy mall snapshot capturing a Level 4 toddler freakout and an obviously annoyed Santa is Instagram gold. Get the shot, dig out their favorite lovie you’ve stashed in the diaper bag, and smile because this is a picture you’ll treasure.

Possible Snafu: Gift Duplication

iStock

An adult who receives a duplicate gift will proclaim their love of the item while discreetly digging through tissue paper in search of a gift receipt, careful to preserve any tags. Children, however, are prone to reactions anywhere on the spectrum of matter-of-a-fact “I already own this” proclamations to window-shattering, rolling-on-the-floor screaming fits.

Survival Tip: Never underestimate the value of role-playing. Prepare them for the possibility this could happen and coach them on ways to respond— "No matter what you receive, just say 'thank you" It's also a great time to remind them it’s the thought, not the gift, that counts. Play a fun role-playing game and simulate opening something they already own, allowing yourselves to get a little silly. Should the situation occur, it’ll be an amusing wink-and-nod secret between you.

 

Related: 15 Genius Photo Hacks to Try This Holiday Season

Possible Snafu: Toy Surplus

bedtime routine
iStock

Once the pine-scented dust has settled, post-holidays, you’re left with a mountain of toys and tchotchkes that need to find a resting place in your already-busting-at-the-seams home. Finding space for the 25 spider rings and 16 pencils accumulated at the school Halloween party drove you to tears, and now you need to find space for a life-sized panda bear, Barbie’s Beach House, and Ken’s midlife-crisis cherry red Corvette.

Holiday Survival Guide Tip: Resist the urge to meet the garbage man at the curb come trash collection day and adopt a one-in, one-out rule. A couple of weeks before Christmas, review your kid’s wish list with them and explain in order to receive, they need to give. Be prepared: They’re resourceful little boogers and will try to convince you they can find space for it all—even if it means shoving things under chairs, stacking items precariously, or throwing out their underpants to make room in a drawer. Donate gently loved but no longer wanted toys to a worthy local nonprofit organization.

 

Possible Snafu: Batteries Not Included

holiday survival guide: make sure you have lots of batteries
Kevin Woblick via Unsplash

Toy manufacturers seem to enjoy the idea of parents wrestling with a mini screwdriver to get battery compartments open. And they usually don’t even throw us a bone by giving us the first round of juice with a starter set of batteries. What do you do if it's Christmas Day, no stores are open and Johnny cleared out his closet to make room for a life-like dinosaur that walks, talks, transforms, and is slated to crush his little sister’s My Little Pony herd?

Survival Tip: Do yourself a favor and buy batteries in bulk before Santa makes his rounds. For the most part, you know what gifts they’re receiving, so research the batteries requirements and be sure to have them on hand. Throw a few extra in the cart for the unexpected gifts from the family.  While you're at it, grab a toothpick-sized screwdriver the next time you're at the hardware store— you're going to need it.

Related: 30 Life-Changing Hacks to Save Your Holiday Season

Possibly Snafu: Understocked Pantry

Mara Lin Kim via Unsplash

Holiday euphoria has fueled a sudden burst of energy and you have an inexplicable urge to bake 15 different types of cookies and a fruit cake. After a quick ingredient review, you realize you're a ¼ tsp. of vanilla away from your destiny, but your little one is napping. Even if he wasn’t, you risk getting stuck in line behind the people clearing out the bottled water supply preparing for snowmageddon because they spotted a flake.

Holiday Survival Guide Tip: Stock up on baking essentials. Most ingredients required for baking have a long shelf life, so if it takes you until Easter to use them all, no biggie. You can also get simple ingredients and lots of staples delivered to your home fast by using a food delivery service such as Instacart.

Possible Snafu: There Is Noise ... Lots of It

holiday survival guide: how to deal with loud toys
Kelli McClintock via Unsplash

Maybe before you were a parent it brought you great joy to buy the most annoying gift you could possibly find for a sibling's kids. Why not? You didn’t have to live with it and plus, when you were little your brother teased you relentlessly, so he totally deserved to lose partial hearing because you gifted his two-year-old cymbals. The day of reckoning is upon you—the gifts your kid receives will be big, they will be loud and they’re going to have more pieces than stars in the sky.

Survival Tip: We can't help you here. If you fired the first shots, you have no choice but to accept an annoying gift or two. After the scores have been settled, initiate a peace treaty so no one needs to live in fear of what might be under the tree. Discuss parameters for gifts and work together to complete wish lists. If they break the treaty, you are well within your rights to unleash a wrath that can only be calmed by buying your niece or nephew a rambunctious puppy or a matching drum set for those cymbals.

 

Living a couple of thousand miles from my immediate family means that I fly every year—with kids—on tiring flights. On multiple occasions, I’ve flown solo with kids. This summer, I flew alone with four kids aged 2, 4, 6, and 8. Last summer, I did it alone with each of those kids being a year younger. I’ve flown with sleeping newborns, squirmy nine-month-olds, and impossible eighteen-month-olds. On some flights, my kids have been surprisingly angelic. On others, I’ve fought with a loud, kicking toddler for four exhausting hours. Believe me, it’s not fun.

I’ve experienced the anxious, dreading sideline glances of passengers when they see young kids approaching their seats. I’ve witnessed the “huffing, puffing and mumbling.” Honestly, some people seem to be annoyed by the mere presence of kids, even when their behavior is just fine. Unfortunately, only on a small handful of occasions in the last decade of plane travel with kids has someone offered to help, and it’s usually been a kind-hearted passenger.

I know it’s annoying to listen to a young child whine or cry. I know it’s annoying when they talk loudly or get excited and yell (or in my two-year-old’s case, sing their heart out). I know there are a lot of business travelers on flights these days who expect to read, work or sleep the entire flight. But, fellow passengers, try to understand.

The planes my family travel on are public transportation just like buses or ferries or trains. I’m allowed to board them with my kids, and these flights are not designated silent zones. They are not even “adult-only” zones. I promise to do my best to get my kids to behave well during the flight. But I can’t promise you a silent flight, and you are not entitled to one.

If I see one of my kids kick your seat, I’ll get them to stop, but they might sneak one in anyway. My toddler sometimes gets excited and (like a normal child with exceptionally healthy lungs) screams out of joy, fear, excitement, whatever. If that happens, I’ll promptly remind her to use her “inside voice,” but she’s likely to forget at some point during the flight.

If my four-year-old drops a crayon or fruit snack and it somehow finds its way under your seat, let’s not treat it like a criminal offense, ok? If—heaven forbid—my toddler has ear pain because of the changes in air pressure, there might be some loud crying. They are kids, after all, and as hard as I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to get our two-year-old to act 21.

The human family we are all a part of consists of people of all ages. We need to bear with one another a little more. Children seem to have been largely pushed out of many public places, but they have every right to be there. Please don’t treat my kids like they don’t belong on your flight. I know you have important places to go. So do we. My kids need to see their grandparents.

So dear fellow passenger: as long as you’re not hiring private jets and we find ourselves on the same flight, let’s make a deal.  I’ll do my very best—I promise—to have my kids behave well on our shared flight. I’m prepared. I have snacks, activities, iPads, patience, and stamina. But my best efforts can’t 100 percent ensure total serenity.

You do your very best to welcome them on the flight and overlook minor outbursts in their otherwise-good behavior. Oh, and if you see me struggling under the weight of a toddler, diaper bag, purse, carry-on case, and stroller, feel free to be an everyday hero and offer to help with a smile. See you on our next flight.

I'm a wife and mom (to six) who's also a freelance writer in between the craziness of family life. I love the outdoors, reading, cooking and snuggling with the littles. I write to share my thoughts about the things that capture my attention - family, faith, education, health and life.

Whether you are a new mom, or a well-seasoned coraller of kids, a little extra support never hurt. Finding moms to turn to for advice and lean on as you make your way through all of the stages of motherhood is an important part of staying healthy, happy and top of your game for your kiddos. The following is a list of Portland moms groups offering local parents support. Read on to find out more.

Day Hike Moms
This is a Day Hike Group for moms and their children in the Portland area. This is a way to get out of the house, out of a rut, to explore nature with your kids and to become part of nature again. It is a great way to exercise, feel some serenity, and teach your children about what life is outside the city.

Jewish Moms 
Connecting Jewish Moms across Portland, to each other, to community events and to their Judaism. Members share  great activities, fun bargains, questions, events and outings that a Portland Jewish Mom would enjoy... especially in the rain!

Mamapedia
Mamapedia connects moms at every stage of their children's lives to compelling content from the source they trust most: other moms. Every day, moms turn to Mamapedia.com for advice on everything moms need: parenting, health, family, finance, pregnancy, nutrition, and travel; and on children of every age from infant to adult. Our vibrant local community network (formerly known as Mamasource) offers a place where moms can connect with each other in a supportive environment that serves as their very own local online moms group.

Portland Moms
This Facebook group is where fun, child loving, Portland area moms can share ideas and meet others. This is for the Portland mama looking to share kid-related tips, stories, deals, and adventures with other Portland parents.

Portland Mom Collective
Portland Mom Collective is a community — online and off — of women raising kids in the PDX area. The group is passionate about bringing moms together in a supportive community and encouraging you in your parenting journey.

Related: These Facebook Groups Keep Portland Parents Connected

 

istock

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS is a place to find friendship, community, resources and support for you as a woman and mother so you're not alone. Moms have found community through MOPS for almost 40 years - MOPS is the mothering authority. MOPS holds and shares the collected wisdom of mothers and experts.

New Moms of Portland
New Moms of North Portland is a small group for new moms in and around North Portland that meets for support, play dates and to get out of the house and have fun. This group is a safe place to vent, share, ask for help, and support each other without judgement. Keeping the group small makes it easier to foster trust and build real friendships.

Oregon Moms
Whether you're a new mom searching for the best Oregon has to offer kids, or an experienced Oregon Mom who'd like to share some wisdom on raising kids in Oregon - Oregon Moms FB Group is the perfect tribe for you. Learn about fun places, events for families, and your candid, insightful input and reviews can be added.

Single Parents 
This group is for single parents of young children who would like to get together for regular play dates in Portland.

Portland-Area Working Moms
The purpose of this FB group is to provide a place for moms to discuss issues unique to working parents. Moms give each other support, input and advice on topics that working mom face in daily life.

The Portland Step Mom Facebook
The Portland Step Mom Facebook is a club for step moms to share experiences, difficulties and triumphs with other step moms in the Portland area.

Related: Mark Your Calendar: 8 Parent-Baby Playdates in the City

Calling all Wizards and Muggles! If you’re looking for a magical getaway, we have the spot for you. Head to the Blue Ridge Mountains and claim this castle, decked out with all the details a true fan will appreciate.

The Wizards Hollow is one of five treehouses that make up the “Treehouses of Serenity” outside of Asheville, NC. The owners have made it their own version of Hogwarts and it’s almost 600 square feet of enchantment. Consult the sorting hat to claim your house flag, discover the invisible cloak, or simply collapse into one of two queen beds with perfect Potter décor.

You’ll also find a spiral staircase leading to a loft with an additional bed—look on the steps for some extra fun details. Even the bathroom gets in on the fun with some special surprises. Don’t forget to look for the owls around the house!

Outside, the castle boasts a sprawling deck and firepit, perfect for lounging while you sip on Butterbeer. You’ll be treated to mountain views and you’re only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, assuming you ever want to leave.

This Airbnb is rightfully quite popular and it’s booked up until May 2021. The good news is that on November 1 at 8 am ET, you can hop on to reserve your spot for the first available month. At $364 per night, it’s well worth a special getaway!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Airbnb

 

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We sussed out the best low-key beaches that boast big coastal charm so you don’t have to socially distance your family from the sea and sand this summer. Grab your swimsuitssunscreen and sunglasses and head to one of these 7 beaches that are packed with family-friendly fun without being so, well, packed!

Betterton Beach
Located under two hours from the District on the Chesapeake Bay, Betterton Beach in Kent County, MD offers five acres of sand and shore along with a boardwalk, picnic area and fishing jetty. Once you get to Betterton – population of about 350 – you can head to the mouth of the Sassafras river for a quick, uncrowded getaway.

Ericsson Ave.
Betterton, MD
Online: kentcounty.com/betterton-beach

Assateague Island
Looking for a beach getaway where wild horses share the sand with you? If so, Assateague Island (in MD) are for you! You access Assateague and its 37 miles of beach through either Ocean City, MD or Chincoteague, VA.  Be sure to pack these kid cameras so they can capture the abundent wildlife. This island features tranquil beaches, wild horses and at less than four hours away, is a great choice for an off-the-beaten-path beach vacation.

Assateague, MD
Online: assateagueisland.com

Elk Neck State Park
Elk Neck State Park has a pristine sandy beach and warm waters to float and play in. Don’t forget the life jackets; this beach has a kayak and canoe launch. There are also campgrounds and hiking trails throughout the park and a lighthouse to explore. While some of the trails remain closed, the beach is open. Located only two hours from DC, Elk Neck is a great option to get away while still staying close by.

4395 Turkey Point Rd.
North East, MD
Online: maryland.gov/elkneck.aspx

photo: Stock

Calvert Cliffs State Park
Less than an hour and a half from DC, Calvert Cliffs has 24 miles of shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay. The cliffs that dominate the landscape were formed 20 – 30 million years ago, and fossil hunting is another popular activity throughout the park. Prehistoric sea creatures, shark and whale fossils have all been found in the cliffs.

10540 H. G. Trueman Rd.
Lusby, MD
Online: maryland.gov/calvertcliffs.aspx 

Sandbridge Beach
Virginia Beach typically doesn’t come to mind when people think of “off the beaten track” beaches. And it’s true that the boardwalk area of Virginia Beach is usually jam packed. That’s not the case for Sandbridge Beach. Located 15 minutes south of Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is quieter, calmer and less crowded than its more well-known neighbor.

Sandfiddler Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA
Online: virginia.org/SandbridgeBeach/

Chic’s Beach
This idyllic beach situated on the Chesapeake Bay is where Virginia Beach locals go to avoid the crowds of the busier oceanside sun, surf and sand destinations. Giving off a relaxed, family-friendly vibe, Chic’s Beach has calmer waters that are perfect for kids to enjoy with the serenity and views that grown-ups are looking for. Be sure to pack the bodyboards and enjoy these gentle waves.

Virginia Beach, VA
Online: visitvirginiabeach.com/chesapeake-bay/

Cape Henlopen State Park
Delaware’s beaches can get crowded during the spring and summer months – and with good reason. They’re not far from DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. With several different beach towns each with their own personality, there’s something for everyone, which is why… they can get so crowded. Luckily, you can still find quiet places to wander and a sliver of beach to call your own at Cape Henlopen State Park. Enjoy listening to the waves and the shorebirds from the beach or hiking to the end of the point and feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world. You would hardly know that Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany beaches were all a very short, crowded drive away.

15099 Cape Henlopen Dr.
Lewes, DE
Online: visitdelaware.com/cape-henlopen-state-park/

—Chris McGurn

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Adult coloring books are a great stress reliever.  A fantasy-filled coloring book featuring Jason Momoa has  fans excited to get their hands on it since they can’t get their hands on his actual biceps. Crush and Color: Jason Momoa A Coloring Book of Fantasies With an Epic Dreamboat, featuring more than 35 “Momoa moments” for your enjoyment is now available on Amazon.

The book’s illustrations depict Momoa swimming with sharks, taking a bath, lounging on the bed, cooking a steak, walking his dogs, riding a horse, chopping down a tree, surfing, mowing the lawn and more.

Jason Momoa Coloring Book

According to the book’s description, “Escape to your very own rugged utopia with your favorite star! Crush and Color: Jason Momoa is a collection of daydreams come to life on incredible coloring pages. Immerse yourself in more than 35 completely unique, life-like drawings of the rugged dreamboat in the zone and on top of the world. Let him take the helm on a sunset sail, witness impressive physical strength as he scales a colossal cliffside, and take in the serenity of quieter moments through colorable works of art. Caught on every page is Jason’s breezy charm and irresistible vigor ready for coloring detail. Color your way to a dreamier day with enamoring reveries and stirring displays of masculinity on each page!”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Amazon

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What are the best foods to feed your baby? If you’re not sure which products meet your kiddo’s needs, provide top nutritional benefits or the right USDA-Certified organic options, RAVE Reviews has answers.

RAVE Reviews recently compiled a list of the healthiest baby foods, with categories such as the Best USDA-Certified Organic Baby Foods and the Best Stage 3 Baby Foods.

Chosen with criteria such as veggie content, the presence of artificial colors/sweeteners, fat content, protein content, non-GMO or not, levels of pesticides, heavy metals, certified organic (or not) and the presence of dangerous contaminants, RAVE Reviews picked these winners:

Serenity Kids Baby Food (Austin, Texas)
Beech-Nut Organic Baby Food, Stage 2 (Amsterdam, New York)
Once Upon A Farm Organic Stage 3 (Berkeley, California)
Ella’s Organic Kitchen (Union County, New Jersey)
Amara Organic Baby Food (San Francisco, California)
Fresh Bellies Vegan Baby Food (White Plains, New York)
Happy Tot Organic (New York City, New York)
Sprout Organic (Montvale, New Jersey)
First Choice Organic Baby Food
Gerber’s Purees 2nd Veggie and Fruit (Florham Park, New Jersey)

Eleri Miller, Marketing Coordinator for RAVE Reviews, said in a press release, “Deciding what to feed your children is so important, but it can also be so complicated.” Miller went on to add, “This ranking is designed to cut through the overblown marketing claims and questionable science so that parents can easily figure out what baby food they should be buying.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photos: Tanaphong Toochinda via Unsplash 

 

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Pop quiz: how many historical African-American leaders can you name? Chances are this two-year-old has you beat. Yep, this toddler lists famous Black History Month figures like nobody’s business. And the internet thinks she’s pretty awesome.

Two-year-old Serena Moore is still years away from starting elementary school, but she can already do something that many adults can’t—she can name 15 different African-American leaders. Not only that, she can name 15 leaders, both past and present.

So how did this toddler smarty’s story make its way to social media? Proud mama Miriam Moore posted a video clip of her daughter on Facebook. Moore wrote, “Here is a moment in Black History with Serenity! She has learned about 15 great African American figures/leaders and wants to tell you their names!”

Not only can Serenity name these leaders, but according to her mom, “She can identify them too!” As Miriam prompts her cute kiddo with the first name of famous African-American leaders, the little girl completes the names—including Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and many more history-makers.

It looks like this smart toddler just might grow up to be a history-maker, too.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Michael Mimms via Unsplash 

 

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By now, you probably already know that baby number three has arrived for Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West. That is, unless you’ve been hiding out in a WiFi-less cave. The couple, who welcomed their daughter via surrogate on January 16, already have two children. But that’s not keeping them from buying brand-new gadgets, gizmos and more for their third kiddo.

So what’s on Kim K’s baby gear wish list? In a recent Snapchat video the reality star said, “You guys, I’m in baby heaven here. I got so many amazing things.” Among these “amazing things” were Aden + Anais baby bubble bath and an Aden + Anais Serenity Star 5-in-1 electronic system (it has a room temp indicator, sound machine, nightlight, clock and feeding diary).

Along with these baby faves, Kim also seemed pretty impressed by one other awesome item. “It’s called My Brest Friend, and it is the best nursing pillow on the planet.” She also added that it is, “the most necessary thing of my life.”

There you have it. The best of the best — straight from Kim’s Snapchat!

What’s your favorite baby item? Tell us in the comments below.