ABC's that got me through the first year

Some friends have asked for advice on registries, toys, etc. recently and as I started making my recommendations, I noticed they were almost in alphabetical order (the organizer is embedded in my subconscious!). So, these are my favorite things that have gotten us through the first year! If there is something that YOU loved and I've missed it, please leave a comment for me and the other readers!

A Aden & Anais swaddle blankets and swaddle sacks, Amber necklace for teething

B Boppy, Bumbo, Baby 411 (a great quick reference book), Baby Bjorn (our favorite carrier from 3mo-6mo), Bibs

C California Baby products (all of them - all natural), Chicco KeyFit car seat & stroller, Cloth diapers as burp cloths - the cheap kind because the nice ones don't absorb anything, Changing pad

D Diaper Dude (dad's diaper bag), Diaper Genie, and Diapers!

E Ergo baby carrier (my new favorite carrier! 6mo to about 2 years), Exersaucer, Electric toothbrush (sounds weird, right? the only sound that would make Sophie stop crying some times)

F Flip Video handheld video camera, Freddy the Firefly and any other Lamaze brand toys, First aid kit


G Graco Pack N Play, Grooming kit

H Hometics sound machine, Hooded towels, Happiest Baby on the Block (DVD is better than the book), Hand-me-downs - accept all of them!

I Infantino Vintage Twist and Fold Activity Center

J Jogging stroller (we love the Baby Jogger Summit), Join an online mommy network (The Mommy Network, for example)

K Kindermusik or another regular class - getting mommy and baby out of the house for socialization is a great thing!

L Lansinoh cream, Lactation consultant

M Medela pump, Mylicon, Moby Wrap (my favorite carrier from 0-3mo)


N Night out (as in, take one every once in a while), Nursing tanks, Nipple shields

O Outlet covers, Onesies (all kinds - long sleeve, short sleeve, built in mittens)

P Pacifiers (all kinds - then when the babe picks a favorite, go buy six of them)

Q Q-tips, the safety kind

R Rocking chair (or glider or a Lazy Boy), Robeez shoes

S Sophie the Giraffe (our fave teether), Snappies bottles, Sleep Sheep, Swaddle sacks with velcro

T Think Baby Bottles, Tub

U Understand no two days are the same :)

V Video Monitor (Summer is my favorite), Vicks baby vapor rub

W Weissbluth: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, Wipe Warmer, Walker (good for chasing four-legged siblings)

X XOXOXOXOXO hugs and kisses - give 'em and get 'em

Y Yogurt melts, Yellow anything because pink and blue get boring

Z Zipper pajamas in all sizes, Zzzz's... sleep is good for mommy and baby!