baby shower gifts...

So I used to ask this all the time when I was pregnant, now I get asked it all the time. Whether you are embarking on the daunting task of registering for your baby shower, or you are not sure what to get as a gift for the next baby shower you attend... here are a few suggestions:






#1 - The Swing! $150
I literally use this every two hours and is the only place Dylan will sleep through the night


#2 - Bouncy Seat $50
We didn't register for this, thinking the swing and the seat were basically the same thing. Nope! This is where Dylan sits anytime that we are not holding him... we take it room to room with us... really we could probably have 2 of them.


#3- Excersaucer.. $90
Dylan is just starting to use this, but it keeps him preoccupied for a good amount of time. I put it in the kitchen with me and it keep his attention long enough for me to cook dinner or do the dishes, and I know from other moms that he'll just start to like it more and more as he gets older



#4- Light Up Mobile $40
When i was pregnant I bought the cute Pottery Barn mobile that matched his bedding for his crib. Which he likes, but its wind up and only stays on for about 5 mins. There is a much better one that we bought after we brought him home that lights up and plays songs and lasts for 20 mins. Plus it has a remote that you can restart at a distance... if the mom to be registered for a designer mobile like mine, or totally left that off... get her one and she will thank you later... you can find it at babys r us


#5- Pack & Play WITH changing table attached $150
From day 1 we have used this thing all day. Its great to put downstairs and have the ability to change babys diaper without having to walk up and down the stairs all day long. We also got the one that has the shade you can pull up, which we've never had it outside - but as he has gotten older we can hang the little brightly colored rings from it and it keeps him entertained.


#6- Sound Machine $40
I got this at a shower and was utterly confused. I thought it was so nice, but also thought that I would get more use out of it than the baby. Well... again this is part of my sleep baby sleep blog, but we keep this on at all times in his room on "rain" and it helps him sleep. any help we can get for that right!


#7 - Boppy $40
We used this A LOT when Dylan was a newborn, we just laid him on it on the bed and basically stared at him for hours. But it also comes in handy when you are tired at night and feel like you can barely hold the baby to feed him... you just wrap it around yourself and hold the baby on top of it, gives you support to hold baby up.

#8 - Car Seat / Stroller
Obviously you can't go anywhere without the baby anymore, so you def need one of these!

#9 - Monitor
We have two, one that is just sound and the other that is video. If you can get both do, if you have to choose def the video! You'll soon find out you don't want to leave baby alone to even sleep, so having the video puts your mind at ease.

#10 - Baby Saftey & Grooming Kit
These come complete with thermometer, baby nail clippers & the booger bulb (as I call it, not sure what the better name for it is) - We def get a ton of use out of all of those.



Some other items that I get a lot of use out of: Baby Bath, play rings, Rockabye Baby CD, Baby Shakespeare and you really can never have enough diapers, wipes, bibs, socks and bottles. Clothes are always great, we really loved the sleep sacks that either have no bottom or zip up. Makes late night diaper changes much easier. Advice on clothing and diapers, buy size 1 or 2 diapers and 3-6mth or 6-9mth clothing because most people get you newborn stuff at showers.
And you could also get a gift certificate to a local grocery store, most people register at babys r us and target, but those are the last places most of us go for refills on formula, diapers, etc because Food Lion is closer.

I'm sure as baby gets older these items will change, but for now... these are the things I use constantly and could not live without! If the higher priced items are too much for you to buy alone as a gift, I highly recommend going in with a few friends to get them for your special preggo friend.

Another nice thought if you are going to a shower, get a little something for mommy too as a side present. Suggestions: Prenatal Vitamins (One A Days), gift cert to maternity store, "Belly Laughs" a book by Jenny McCarthy, body pillow, Coco Butter cream, gift certificate for a maternity massage, gift certificate to her favorite resturant, gift cert for pedicure (because trust me, she's not doing her toes herself anymore)


**Shower Hostess Tip: Pre-purchase thank you cards and stamp the envelopes. Leave the cards out so the guests can fill one out with their address on it. That way the mom to be just has to write the note and drop it in the ready made envelope! This is great for bridal showers too:)