Sites that I found helpful enough to bookmark

Helpful in planning for baby:
http://www.rookiemoms.com/shopping-registry/ - I'll comment on this later

Nursing:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html - great resource site
http://www.lllusa.org/CT/WebGreenwichCT.html  - check out some of their meetings

Feeding - 6 months+
Of course this should be discussed with your pediatrician, but a helpful resource to review which foods to start when:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030500.asp
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/startingsolidfood-schedule.htm


Shopping for Baby -
http://www.serenaandlily.com/ LOOOOVE
http://www.sugarsweetbaby.com
http://bambalinascreations.weebly.com/headbands.html - check out the sale items!
http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/girls.htm#page=19&all=1&photos=2,3,4 - Announcements

Shopping/Inspiration for the Nursery:
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ - Decor inspiration!

http://www.farrow-ball.com/storelocator.aspx?language=en-GB - The BEST paint colors
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Rattan_Elephant_Hamper/820/ - cute nursery items

http://www.cloudsandstars.com/ - Sheets that I recommend
http://www.innovativecribdesigns.com/index.htm - this is a great concept for a crib - but the sheets are a lot cheaper : )
http://www.etsy.com/listing/31542260/pink-and-white-crystal-spiral-mobile?ref=vl_other_2 - creative mobiles

My Etsy Obsession

Have you been to Etsy? It's a great site that features handmade, really unique items. I've always loved it - but I especially love it since I have a little peanut. It was so fun to get on there and really be creative when I was decorating the nursery and looking for different gifts. 

A word of advice - well two - check to make sure the seller is in your country or else you will pay an arm and leg shipping (or can sort by country). Also, if you really love a seller, check out their website. I find they usually feature a lot more sale items and variety.

Here are a few of my favorite items/vendors:

- Great decals for Nursery: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lovemaestore
- Funky art for Nursery - and they will customize: http://www.etsy.com/shop/yumiyumi
- Cute Personalized Beach Towel: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/28288312
- Thoughtful gift for Dad from baby: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/30212991

Baby items that you can live without - but I love them so much!

Who would have thought I could get so excited about this first item! Ohhhh, how your topics of conversations move from normal, adult subjects to involved conversations about poop and other well, boogers. Which brings me to my first object that I love:

- Graco Nasal Aspirator: The babes get boogers, and they don't really appreciate you trying to get them out. However, I found with this little booger sucker that it wasn't as much as a chore and it's a party favorite. My dad wants one now too. It basically is an electronic booger sucker - for lack of a better term - and it also plays lullabies. Fancy, fancy booger sucking. Might be a weird shower gift. I guess it depends on the audience.

- JJ Cole All Purpose Blanket: This time of year, this is awesome. I recently had a baby playdate with another mom who had one and I was so impressed I promptly went out and bought one. I can tell you from my initiation weekend with it at a picnic with lots of kids - it is waterproof, stain proof, super cute and folds back up into a very convenient pouch that you can toss in your stroller or car. Great shower gift!

Anything made by Aden & Anais: I was given the swaddle blankets - and I had a winter baby so for me, it was like -  great one more blanket. However, this is not just an ordinary swaddle blanket. It's made of muslin so it's incredibly light, breathable fabric. They also have cute, simple designs that I just adore. My latest obsession is their sleep sacks. My daughter hated the ones I originally bought for her because she gets so hot, but she loves the Aden & Anais. They are nice and light, and ahhhh-dorable. I also love their burp cloths which double as cute bibs.

What I would do if I were you....

If you are still expecting your bambino embrace the time you still have. It's easy to take the little things for granted, so I'm here to tell you what I would do if I were you and all of your freedom :)

- Go get a manicure and pedicure
- Go to the spa
- Go get your hair done
- Read a book
- Lie in bed an extra hour on the weekends
- Take a nap
- Go to dinner with your husband, girlfriends, etc
- Go on a vacation with your husband, girlfriends, etc
- Take a really long shower or bath

Non baby items to consider picking up that will make your life easier

A few tips that I got that I figured I would pass along... some items that you might not think about when you are registering, but are helpful once the baby arrives.

- Waterproof mattress pad: There will be bodily fluids leaked from you (yes, you), the baby (all ends), and maybe even your husband or dog. Regardless of who is doing the leaking, you don't want your mattress ruined over it.

- Laundry Basket: You're gonna need a bigger boat... I mean, laundry basket. Get another one... They are all of $7 and will make your life a lot easier.

- Not Dreft: Dreft is like the hot baby laundry detergent - and it's overpriced and so unnecessary. Unless it actually folds the laundry for you there is no need to spend $15 on the "baby friendly" detergent. Pick up some Tide Free and Clear instead.

A nightlight for YOUR room: Most likely the baby will be in your room for awhile in the beginning. I'm sure you'll remember to pick up a fancy nightlight for the nursery, but don't forget your room! This was a lifesaver for the middle of the night tripping over myself, night feedings.

Places to consider Registering

Registering is highly personal. My thought process is you should have one place that is local and convenient to a lot of your friends/family, another that is online (with perks - free shipping, frequently coupon codes, etc), and another high end retailer for all of the things that most likely you won't buy for yourself.

Here are my registry picks:

Bed, Bath and Beyond:

Did you know that Bed, Bath and Beyond is owned by the same company that owns Buy Buy Baby? Well it is! They carry high end brands, day to day brands, diapers, EVERYTHING! I would chose this over a Babies R Us for a few reasons (and I went into BRU to register and then deleted it - because I hated my experience). BBB is much better with customer service. You can return anything off your registry for cash, no questions asked. BBB will help you register with humans that actually know what they are talking about and look like they could possibly have a kid - not just maybe babysat one... once. Look in the beginning, you might not really know what you're looking for so it's really helpful to have more of a consultant to give you a hand. BBB also carries brands that BRU don't - UppaBaby, Peg Perego - basically anything high end. Plus the smell of BRU makes me want to vomit a little, and there are kids running around screaming everywhere. But hey, that's just me.

Other Pluses:
 - You can use the 20% off coupons (note - most of the high end baby is listed in the fine print at the bottom - however, if you have older BBB coupons they don't have them on there and you can use them). So if you have family members that save coupons like I do - ask nicely if you can trade them for some of your new shiny ones :)
- When you feel like you have everything you need in the baby department, you can get a million different things at BBB. Perhaps, gasp - something for you? You deserve it!
- If your BBB does not carry baby items in store you can have them order anything and everything to the store and they won't charge you for shipping.

Diapers.com:
I love diapers.com. They have everything at great prices. Quick shipping. This is a great online place to register - free shipping over $60. They also have a great diapers for a year registry item. I didn't register here, but wish I did!

Giggle:
This is my high end store pick. They carry great brands - Serena & Lilly, OiOi - and everything else. They focus on modern, chic, organic baby items. Their thinking and marketing really seems to be in line with today's "modern parent".