Baby Essentials

Back When I read Vogue and bottle service meant something entirely different!

I'm struggling with this next post because it just seems so "momish" and feels a little bit loserish. As a side note I realize momish and loserish are not real words but, they were definitely adjectives I used when I was 25! Anyway, not sure when the transition happens but it has slowly been creeping in. I noticed it first at the magazine stand this summer I beelined to the pregnancy section and Vogue only came as an after thought. I know that action may be sacrilegious.... What to Expect When You are Expecting replaced the latest book off the NY Times best seller list. I have a lot (more than I would care to admit) of conversations about sleep, poop and eating patterns. But what I am about to do is totally uncool, very momish and when I was 25 I would have proclaimed myself a total loser!

Being a Mom is lovely.

A lot of my girlfriends are getting pregnant and starting that really scary and daunting process of registering. I've sent this list to a few friends and thought I would post it for future mothers. Things you'll need for the first few months. I know I had several anxiety attacks when trying to navigate Babies R' Us so hope this helps.











 BABY ESSENTIALS

Where you put all this baby lo

  













 
1) Swaddling Blankets http://www.adenandanais.com/  These are the BEST and you can get them at Target. I would also register at Target as well as Baby's R Us
2) The DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block. It teaches you how to swaddle and the 5's really do work for about the first month. Charlie lived as a burrito for the  1st month of life.
3) The Book Baby 411 It is awesome and so helpful. I would also get Expecting 411. I didn't discover it til my last few weeks so never bought it but read it at Borders and liked it better than What to Expect.
4) The soothie http://www.soothie-pacifier.com/ It's the one recommended for breast feeding moms and Charlie LOVES it. Also most hospitals are now recommending it and give them out.
5) A boppy 
6) A bath tub that has a shelf built in. Our whale tub had one and its really useful when they are little and slippery. http://www.target.com/Fisher-Price-Whale-of-a-Tub-Infant-Bathtub/dp/B0018Z8CN8
7) A bath mat to bathe the baby in the first few weeks til the stump for the umbilical cord falls off http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3618616
8) towels and TONS of wash cloths - bath products. There are a ton out there and we tried some of the fancier ones but my fav is Johnson and Johnson, they smell the best
9) cloth diapers which are great for burp rags
10) the diaper genie
11) a portable changing mat http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2756998 this is a lifesaver. i just throw it in my purse and go
12) car seat - we got the graco snug and ride it's great and no complaints
13) stroller - i would just get the snap and go til the baby gets bigger and you can decide what you want then. for the first three months you never take them out of the car seat so anything else is pointless.
14) Pack n'play...whatever model you want there are a million. i would skip the bassinet and just use the pack n'play by your bed for the first few months
15) monitor - I would get one that has a video monitor
16) bouncy seat - Baby won't use it for the first few weeks but then they are really handy
17) swing - someone gave us one to borrow. charlie can take it or leave it so i don't think its a must have but some people swear by them
18) crib - whatever you like
19) changing unit - Some friends have converted a dresser into a changing unit...I think that is a great idea then it can grow with you.
20) High Chair - Can't recommend as we don't have one yet
21) activity mat - any one will do.
22) Sleep dresses - these are the BEST for the first few weeks. They are so easy when you have to do the middle of the night feeds and changes http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3251926
23) Glider - not essential but I loved mine and miss not having one in Grenada
24) Baby carrier - we have baby bjorn and the baby sling, Balboa Baby, and I like both. Some people prefer ergo baby so just check and see what you like
25) Secure Sleeper  http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Close-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B003HD7SNY/ref=sr_1_3%3FSubscriptionId%3Dundefined%26tag%3Druyi-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003HD7SNY
26) Good Girlfriends to have a glass of wine or two with and remind you that you are still you.

Now that I've posted this incredibly momish post I'm going to have to organize a girls night out to try and redeem myself or beg Keith and Suzie to hold a church service on Highland Fling II so we can wine!