A few of my favorite things: Registry Essentials

Here are my top must have registry picks that I could not, and will not live without. I actually went out and bought at least two of everything (with the exception of the stroller, of course:))

Clouds and Stars Zipper Sheets: Who ever created this - is a GENIUS. They recently announced that you do not need bumpers in cribs because of the suffocation risk but even still these make changing crib sheets so easy. They have a bottom and a seperate top piece that just simply zips on and off so you don't have to deal with lifting the mattress up and out of the crib to change the sheets. Love, love, love them.

 

Boppy: This is a must for breastfeeding Mothers. It is really difficult in the beginning to breastfeed a newborn since they are so teeny. The boppy was great to get my daughter in the right position. I also love it now because she's gotten so heavy it helps so I'm not putting my back out every time I nurse her. They come "naked" and the covers come separately (as far as I can tell) I recommend getting at least two covers.

UppaBaby Stroller: I love my stroller for a few different reasons. Let me count the ways. First of all, they are an ecofriendly company. For example, the bassinet material is fully made from soybean fiber. The second thing that really appealed to me is that you can add on to this stroller. So when #2 comes along you can add a rumble seat. Then when #3 comes along you can add a "piggyback" for the child to stand. I also love (and I didn't know this until after I bought a bassinet) that they sell a stand for their bassinet. I wish I would have done this because I would have saved $300 on a bassinet and my baby liked the UppaBaby bassinet better anyway! Figures. This would also help justify the cost to grandparents who think you've lost your mind for buying a $600 stroller:) It is also really easy to maneuver, lightweight, and (of course) super cute and stylish.

Carter's sleep and play: My child lives in these. They are easy, cute and inexpensive. So when your child happens to explode mid flight on the way down to Florida staining it beyond recognition and you just happen to forget stain stick - whatever! A word of advice, skip the newborn sizes. They will fit in that size for exactly 30 seconds. Move directly to 0-3 month sizes. Note that Carter's seems to run small, so don't obsess too much on the month your baby is supposed to be in versus and the size of the outfit. Also, everyone will buy you newborn and 0-3 month clothes so try to register for 3+ month clothes because you will find you will wake up one morning and having nothing to dress your baby in!

Fisher-Price Bouncer:

Before I had a baby I was really perplexed by all of the seats, bouncers, things they stand in - in short, what in the world is all of this equipment for? In short - it's a place to put the lovies in so you can get something, ANYTHING done. And in the beginning a place for the little doll to get a quick snooze. I love, love, love the Fisher-Price Bouncer. I have to tell you that, I don't think it's the most beautiful thing in the world - however when I travel this puppy makes the  trip. The reason that this is so great is that it vibrates and bounces. Some of the chairs out there don't bounce. Make sure whatever chair you do get - BOUNCES. Trust me. I have two and the other one doesn't bounce. And it doesn't no put the babe into a sleep coma quite like this one.  If possible, get two. I have one in my bathroom and I put her in it when I shower. This comes in really handy and is one less thing you will have to lug around.

Speaking of lugging around, my favorite baby carrier is: SugarSweetBaby.com. I love this wrap for a few reasons. First is, it is eco-friendly and made of bamboo. Secondly, when my daughter was first born she loved this wrap. She would go from screaming to sleeping within 30 seconds of putting her in this wrap. Literally.  It is extremely comfortable - I also have the Bjorn and couldn't believe how uncomfortable it was, my neck was hurting within three minutes. It's cute, stylish. It's also really compact so it's always in my diaper bag. I am a multi-tasker who can't sit still so this helped me be able to get stuff done around the house. I really don't think I could have made it through the first three months without this wrap!