Current Obsessions -- Baby Edition

You know when your baby is so tired, but won't sleep, no matter what?  It happens after you've already fed, changed, burped, swaddled, read a story, and rocked her.  Ugh.  I finally won, just a few minutes ago, by pulling out one of my secret weapons -- Gripe Water, one of my always-on-hand must-have items.  It got me thinking about the new things in my life that have become staples, thanks to Baby.  So here's my list, as of today.  Right this minute.  (Totally subject to change. With or without notice.)

1.  Gripe Water

This works wonders for upset tummies, and also provides a distraction to a focused crier, like my daughter.  When she gets so worked up that NOTHING can calm her down, we give her just a few drops to distract her and bring her back to Earth. 

2.  Sound Machine

We use this sound machine every day -- it drowns out household noise, passing cars, and barking dogs.  It doesn't put my baby to sleep, but it keeps her that way for longer. 

3.  Skip Hop Diaper Bag

This is the exact one I have, and love.  It's sturdy, has tons of pockets, and holds everything I need and then some.  Since your diaper bag becomes a purse for mom, too, it was important that I like the way it looks.  And since Daddy carries the diaper bag too, it couldn't be too feminine.  I'd buy this again in a heartbeat.

4.  Nikon 50-mm 1.4

Best lens ever!  I mean, look at the pictures I get with it:

Please note, I did NOT edit this photo just so I could demonstrate the awesomeness of my fave lens.  I must also give a shout out to Becky with Becky Williams Photography who taught me how to shoot on Manual mode!  Isn't this beautiful?  I am truly obsessed with this lens.

5.  Schwing! (Wayne's World pun, if you missed it.)

But seriously, this is the one I mean:

My swing was a gift from a friend, and it's fantastic -- how did we survive a day without it?  Bonus that it plugs into the wall, but still has the option for battery use.  And when the motor needed replacing, Fisher Price customer service sent one without hesitation. 

6.  Bottle Drying Rack (with Flower, please!)

Boon Inc. makes this uh-maze-ing "Grass" drying rack, and just this April released the "Stem" flower attachment to go with it.  I figure I'll be looking at this everyday, so why shouldn't it be super cute?

7.  City Mini Baby Jogger Stroller

I love my stroller!  It sets up and collapses (and steers!) with one hand.  I should post a video of how stinkin' easy this thing is.  Thanks to our dear friends Patrick and Melissa for recommending it!

8.  Bunting

I love it!  I want to make some for Piper's room SO bad, but I just haven't gotten to it.  But when I do, be ready!!!

I know that every mom has her own special list of must-haves, and this doesn't cover it all, but I am certifiably obsessed with this list! 

What You Really Need to Have a Baby

Congratulations to all of the women who, with their full term babies and lack of procrastination, had time to stock up on all the wonderful things that ease the tumult of bringing home baby.  I am not that woman.  And it's probably my fault.  When our stork delivered 5 weeks early, we found ourselves scraping together the bare necessities. 

The Necessities List:

1. Newborn Diapers -- they fit babies up to 10 pounds, so chances are you'll need them for a while before the size 1 diapers you probably got at your baby shower.  I preferred the Huggies brand, because the umbilical cord notch seemed deeper and less irritating.  Or maybe it was the Winnie the Pooh design.
2.  Wipes -- for obvious reasons.
3.  Car Seat -- we didn't like the one we had, and ended up replacing it later.  Hint: get a car seat with straps that tighten from the front. 
4.  Sleeper -- for us, it was a Rock-and-Play Sleeper.  It was great to have her right next to the bed for frequent late night feedings.  A pack-n-play, crib, or bassinet would work too.  On a personal note, I am a huge fan of NOT bed sharing. 
5.  Newborn Pajamas -- Oh, how I have learned to LOVE the zipper over the snaps.
6.  Burp cloths -- to wipe up everything that oozes or spurts from your newborn.  They can even double as baby washcloths, since that first bath won't happen for a while.

That's it.  (Unless you're formula feeding, which I didn't at first.) And if we had been REALLY pressed, I bet we could have pared the list down even further. 

I think it's just as important to notice what's NOT on the list.  There are things that are wonderful to have, but not necessary.  We owned ZERO of the following niceties on the day Piper came home.

The Niceties List:

1.  Receiving Blankets -- you'll get some generic ones at the hospital.  Upgrade later if you please.  We splurged on Aden+Anais blankets, and they rock.
2.  Camera -- we didn't bring one to the hospital, but now the little one stays in the diaper bag.  You never know when the cuteness will strike!
3.  Diaper bag -- you don't really need this until you are ready to leave the house, so you could, if you need to, wait a while to get one put together.  That said, I L-O-V-E my SkipHop diaper bag.
4.  Lotions and Potions -- at 12 weeks old, I have yet to use diaper cream.  I have rarely used Aquaphor, and even though I use baby lotion on Piper daily, we had some from the hospital at first.
5.  Formula -- even if you're breastfeeding.  Imagine this:  your in-laws come to town right after the baby arrives, and it's stressful.  Stressful enough to inhibit breastfeeding.  Don't be that parent who thought it would never happen to them, who is then stuck driving to Walgreen's at 2 am. 
6.  Cute outfits -- you won't need them until picture time, which is probably not in the first week or so.  They certainly have their place, but the car ride home from the hospital isn't it.
7.  Comfy Clothes for Mom -- nothing fit when I got home.  But your baby won't care if you wear sweat pants and Daddy's t-shirts.
8.  Baby Grooming -- like nail clippers.  You won't need them at first, and if you're careful, regular clippers work fine.  Same with a comb or brush.
9.  Nursing pillow -- the Boppy is great, but just as frequently I use the throw pillows on the couch or the bed pillows. 
10.  Swing or Bouncer-- an absolute necessity in the next few weeks, but at the very beginning, babies are pretty flexible.  They don't spend enough time awake to care where they're napping, so their sleeper is fine.
11.  Baby monitor -- you only need this if you're going to be in a different room than your baby, which I found impossible in the first week or two.
12.  Gas Relief -- like Mylicon or Gripe Water.  Sometimes you just need a little something extra to settle their tiny tummies.  Cool tip from my mom and dad -- Mylicon in the bottle eliminates all the bubbles from shaking up formula.

So for the first week, I think that's it.  What did I forget?  What was your newborn necessity?

Be Realistic

I haven't (yet) purchased any baby books, but after reading this article, I think I should.  It surprised me on on more than one level.  This is the kind of stuff no one tells you, I guess.  So read on, and let me know what you think -- Is this list even realistic, or complete, for that matter?  Or am I worried for no reason?

"12 Utterly Unglamorous Things to Have on Hand Postdelivery"
http://www.lilsugar.com/Items-Have-Hand-After-Giving-Birth-19312613?more=true