Another Year Over

On this last day of 2013, I sit cozily in front of my parent's fireplace in DC. I was going to respond to a pregnant friend's email asking about essential baby supplies, but I've always thought it would be fun to compile a list of my favorites (and least favorites) because it would be fun to look back on or have others add to. The first category was originally labeled "essentials," but I already had things running through my mind that one (or three) could absolutely live without, so I renamed it:

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE:

• Single BOB stroller (for running, walking, off-roading, shopping and napping). I'm happy with the Stroller Strides version since it came with cup holder/console, padded seat, and swivel wheel
• Portable, cheap, cleanable highchair. It's our main chair and now we have two. Both Lou and Cora fit in it and Lou can't be particular about which she likes better because they're identical
• ErgoBaby Carrier: comfortable, sleep-able, big enough for a man, cute enough for a woman
• Flat waterproof crib pad
• Bravado t-shirt nursing bras (I had two and never found other brands I liked)
• Snappi diaper fasteners (instead of pins for cloth diapering)
• For leakers:
• Lamaze sleep nursing bras
• Lansinoh nursing pads (don't use the sticker part of them…just slide them in so you can use them longer)

LOVE:

• NoseFrida snot sucker. Paired with a bottle of saline drops, this clears out stuffy newborn noses
• For girls clothes, anything Hannah Anderson. Yes, it's expensive, but super cute and high quality.
• Smartwool infant socks: they stay on, they're cute, and they're pricey enough to make you keep track of them
• City Mini by Baby Jogger: folds super-easily and is high quality. We don't have one, but my parents do and it's nice to use when we visit
• Robeez (soft-soled leather slipper shoes): they help socks stay on and are just plain cute. Not sure yet how I feel about Target brand…
• For walkers: Target brand Crocs: easy on and off, but stay on well too
• Baby Bjorn potty and this book (which recommends starting at 7-8 months!)
• Britax Marathon convertible carseat (not needed until ~10-12 months)
• Bottle drying garden (I never had, but my sister feels it's a must. Probably good for wine glasses too)

Not so much:

• Moby wrap: I think some people swear by them, but I didn't like it. Too much fabric.
• Circo waterproof crib pad: I dried it, it melted, ugh. Spend a little more (above) and you'll be happy you did
• Sophie le Giraffe: dogs love her, my girls don't
• Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio infant carseat: great safety rating, but way too heavy and hard to clean
• We did/do cloth diapering and much preferred prefolds with Grovia covers to Grovia snap-in inserts