Baby Essentials

So I've been given the go-ahead to make a big announcement.... . . . . Ready for this??? . . . . I'm... . . . . going to be an AUNT!!! (And you thought I was going to say I was pregnant! HA!) My sister Heather is expecting October 5th, and this will be the first niece/nephew for Aaron and me. Which means our kids will finally have cousins! So in order to celebrate, I thought I would do what I do best...go shopping! But virtually. Sorry Heather. So here are our MUST HAVES: We have not one, but two, of the original Diaper Genie. I think I would die without one. Making a trip out to the big garbage can is not feasible every time you have a poopy diaper, and these really do keep the smell out. The Boppy has to be one of the most wonderful things in the entire world. They have so many uses: you can sit on them post-baby (and trust me, Heather, you'll need it), they're ideal for nursing, great for propping the baby up on, and it's perfect for older siblings who want to play house. Plus you can get all sorts of fab (and washable!) covers! Tell me that this isn't completely adorable: Next item on our list: You definitely need a really great carrier. I much prefer the wrap to the Baby Bjorn type of carrier. It's much more comfortable for me, and it holds the baby closer, so you're not spilling the baby when you lean down to unload the dishwasher. And loveyduds on Etsy has a million darling fabrics you can choose from! In a similar vein, you'll definitely want a nursing cover. You can buy them all over the place, but make sure it has boning in the neckline and an adjustable strap. Also be sure to get a lightweight one. You're body temperature is naturally high when you're nursing, and you'll be boiling with a baby and a blanket. You can order a nursing cover to match your wrap at loveyduds (if you're into that thing, and you know that I am). And for our last non-obvious essential: Get a really nice Pack and Play. Really, don't skimp on this one. Ours have slept in this instead of a crib until they were quite old (at least 9 months), and I have loved it. It's much smaller than a full-size crib, so you can fit it in a lot more places. In addition, when you go on trips, they're already in their own bed, so you don't have a real adjustment period. And we use all the additional features, including the music and vibrations. It just makes life that much easier. So now I have an assignment for everyone who reads my blog: what are your baby essentials? Link us up! And stay tuned for part II: Really, really really cute stuff that is not essential, but it becomes so once you see how adorable it is.

Etsy

So I feel compelled to introduce you to my latest addiction: Etsy. It's an online marketplace (similar in design to Ebay) where people have storefronts where they sell handmade items. And you can find the cutest, most unique things here. Not only that, but you're supporting small business owners when you purchase from them. I'm warning people now that a lot of Christmas presents will be purchased here. Here's what I just purchased: This is Thatone Bag by Hypernoodle. I love the fabric on this, but my favorite part is the initial. Mine, obviously, has a C. Next purchase: I had fallen in love with this style of wrap since it wraps over both shoulders and around your lower back, so it distributes the weight of the baby much more evenly. It's very versatile and can hold the baby in several different positions. However, it's $90 if it's purchased in the store, and not nearly as cute. I found this one at the Loveyduds store at Etsy, and she also made me a matching nursing cover (obviously it doesn't look quite like the picture below, since that doesn't match). The neckline's adjustable, and I love the fact that there's boning in the neck so you can see the baby without having a blanket over your head. Here are some things I've put on my wishlist... I think Katie would look so adorable in this jacket: I LOVE this costume. It would make the most adorable Halloween costume, and you could do some gorgeous photo shoots with it: How cool are these nerdy nursery flash cards? I would get a kick out of decorating a kids room based on these: I think this necklace is gorgeous. I love the asymmetrical design and the clasp in the front. It reminds me of a necklace I bought for my mom: