For Baby...

No, we are not headed for round 2 yet :) I have a couple friends who are expecting their first and was trying to pull together a list of things that made those first few days, weeks, months a little easier. Either for her, for us, or both. I'm sure I am leaving some or rather alot out. But this is all my mind is good for now....

Nap Nanny- This was a lifesaver for us. Especially since she was a reflux baby. The angle helps with the reflux and the sides cradle her without making you worried about breathing issues. We used this everywhere. I even put it in her crib (only when she was swaddled). It is easy to travel with too. This wasn't something I had originally registered for but I don't know what we would have done without it.

Mamaroo- This was our gift from my parents when we found out it was a girl! It got us through many a night. The constant motion was key for her at 3am. And it has a built in sound machine and ipod dock. Whoo hoo for those precious 3 hour stretches during those early weeks.

Pea Pod- Also something I didn't know to register for. My mom found this and we have LOVED it! We originally used it for the beach to keep the sand and sun away while she napped, but this is now our new travel bed. It zips so you don't have to worry about her escaping and best of all it folds up so small. And added bonus Chris tells her its her first tent. Camper in the making.

Aden and Anais blankets,burp cloths, and sleep sacks- Pretty much anything by Aden and Anais has been wonderful! Their receiving blankets were a staple for us. Especially if you have a summer baby. They are light weight and wash really well. The burp cloths are super absorbent (also necessary for a baby with reflux). Emerson uses their sleep sacks nightly. It puts my mind at ease to not use a blanket and she gets the extra layer of warmth.

Bumbleride Stroller- Another suggestion from my mom. This has definitely been worth the investment :) It collapses easily and compactly. It comes with a tire pump and extra rain shield. It also has a bar that is included to make it car seat compatible.

Playtex Drop Ins - In those first few weeks you will crave anything that makes your life a little easier. These were it for me. Yes you have to by the liners and we don't use them as much anymore, but it was so worth not scrubbing bottle after bottle those first few weeks. Once you are finished cleaning pump parts the last thing you want to do is turn around and clean 8 more bottles. You will quickly feel like you are a permanent fixture at the kitchen sink. Splurge on these.

Pack n Play - This was E's home for the first two weeks. I set it up in the den and I used it as her changing table, her napping place, and her play place. We still use it now when we have guests over and need to turn over her room. It's easy set up and break down.

Mobile - She loves it and you can switch out the cards which is a must with my child who bores seemingly quickly and easily.

Baby Einstein Play - And this is how you cook dinner (or check emails):)

This was a gift from Chris' parents and she has definitely put it to good use. She started using it at about 2 months and now uses it as a jungle gym. She no longer likes to be confined but she is all about pulling up on the sides now.

Portable Booster Seat - This has been perfect for us since we are limited in the spacial department. It just snaps right on to our chairs at the table. It can recline and is so easy to clean. And it keeps her seated. She was up and out of the bumbo way too quickly

Brown Bear - I can no longer say color words without following them with an animal. We don't even need the book anymore. This one is memorized. She recognizes the cadence and that's all she wrote.

Sound Machine- I don't know what we would do without this. It goes EVERYWHERE with us, on trips, to church, to babysitters. My mom is scared that I am creating a dependency and that E will go to college with her little white rainmaker. I say then so be it. We turn it on and her head immediately hits our shoulder. Its magic I tell you :) We use this one from Bed Bath and Beyond but they sell these gems everywhere.

A good chair - It's worth more than you would ever imagine. Chris got to pick out this one... (once I found out it came in the color I wanted) It reclines, rocks and swivels and he swears we would outfit our whole den in them if it were social acceptable. We are not "rockers". For us, we decided we weren't going to do the rock to sleep method. But....that chair is perfect for feeding, for reading, and for long nights when RSV is wreaking havoc.