these were our lifesavers:
a
Graco Travel System- car seat, stroller, car base
a
Snap & Go- this is a small friggin frame that holds a car seat with a huge basket at the bottom, it's so compact that it fits in my friend's bug. it's perfect at the mall, there is NO WAY you can shop at Sephora with a regular stroller
a swing
a
BOOSTER CHAIR- NOT A HIGHCHAIR!!! and not one of those hang on the end of a table ones (those dont fit every table, but a booster fits every chair). you can travel with them, they fit practically anywhere, and when they get older you can remove the tray.
basic onesies in a package (long sleeves & short sleeve) and knit bottoms in a package... cute clothes just gets tiring after awhile, and it's goo to just have something to throw on that takes no thought.
one piece footed sleepers with zippers- the whole lazy thing
a big purse, because sometimes you just need to run out the door to drop off mail and you dont want to have to take everything with you. but in your big purse you should have a
JJ Cole Essentials Diapers and Wipes Pod or anything like it, it holds a small pack of wipes and two diapers and comes with a changing pad. it turns any purse into an instant diaper bag.
DO NOT BUY A BREAST PUMP UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE YOU CAN DO IT!!! unlike what they say at lactation class, not everyone can breast feed.
so RENT for the hospital first!!!! if after the first two months, your body, your schedule, your everything can handle the timely pressures of breast feeding, then buy.
we bought the
Diaper Champ- it's like the diaper genie, but you dont need to buy "special bags"... yu can use everyday garbage bags- WAAAAY CHEAPER
we also bought an
Air Wick Automatic Air Freshener that we keep right next to it, because on really hot days, diaper stench can just overwhelm.
and last but not least, totally unexpected blessing:
the
Target Eddie Bauer Infant Travel Bed. It's perfect for babies up to 3 months, before they can roll. it's like a box that you just stick your kid in when he's sleeping... we used it downstairs so i didnt have to keep going up and down the stairs (Cesarean), and when you visit friends and family!