My Baby Must-Haves: PART ONE

As I near the one year mark of Julian's birth (crazy?!?!) I'm recalling all the items I've used and continue using these past 11 1/2 months. I remember when I was pregnant and scouring the internet/birth boards for just what I might need when the baby arrives. There are the must haves, nice to haves and don't needs. :)

Here's just a sneak peek:

• My Brest Friend nursing pillow. Better than the Boppy! It clips on, which keeps it in place - a very useful thing when nursing a tiny newborn. I no longer use a nursing pillow because Julian just sits in my lap these days as he nurses, but for the first couple of months, it is vital, otherwise gnarly back and neck aches will occur. I got mine used/free from a friend.
• A Boppy pillow, or Boppy Newborn Lounger pillow. I had the Boppy and I used for Julian to rest in and I also, occasionally, used it underneath My Brest Friend pillow for extra height, since I'm long-torso-ed.
• A white noise maker. I don't care what kind, just as long is it makes some darn good white noise! For the longest time I used this website. 
• A bouncy chair. It doesn't need to be fancy, but one that vibrates (and most do) is really nice. Julian slept in his for the first few months when he wouldn't sleep any where else. He also chilled in it while I took a shower. We got ours used/free from a friend.
• A travel swing or regular swing. We have a travel swing, however I think a swing that plugs in would have been a better investment. At this point in Julian's young life, a swing is the only thing he will fall asleep in! We've taken it to friend's houses and on visits to the family. It also moves from room-to-room, when needed. We got ours used for $25.00 at a consignment shop. (Are you catching my trend here? Some things are better new. Other things are perfectly ok used!)
• A good stroller/travel system. No explanation needed. :) 
• Baby carriers galore!! I *heart* baby carriers. I'm slightly obsessed.   Babywearing is AWESOME and I highly, HIGHLY recommend it beginning from day one. I have an Ergo which I still use, a Moby wrap, which I used when he was tiny (recently sold it on ebay), and a Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Breeze wrap which is awesome for getting him to sleep when I'm at church! I think if I had to do it all over again, and if I could add to my current stash, I would have someone custom make me a stretchy wrap, like the Moby, only a good foot or two shorter. It was way.too.long for me! Maybe I could follow this tutorial? I would love a Sakura Bloom ring sling. They are simply gorgeous! I *almost* won one on ebay! Of course, I'd also love a Mei Tai, who wouldn't?  And then there's a new wrap. Oh how I'd love to buy one of these! Anyhow, that's about it for my obsession. ;)

More to come...