These are a few of my favorite things...

...for babies. So everyone knows that there a bajillion baby products and things out there and when you're expecting your first baby there's a lot of confusion about what you really need, what you don't, what to register for, blah blah blah. Since I have a few friends out there who are expecting and may be getting baby stuff for Christmas (I'm jealous; I would have loved to be pregnant over Christmas since you have to get baby stuff eventually anyway so might as well get it for Christmas!), here are five of my favorite baby things.

Of course these are all just my opinions and you are free to take them or leave them, but after using this stuff for the last couple months I've come to really love and rely on my favorite baby items. Also, none of these brands are paying me to say any of this. Although if they'd like to give me free stuff I would not turn them away.

Item 1: Swaddle Blankets

I have the Aden + Anais bamboo swaddles and I use them ALL THE TIME. They're kind of spendy but I'm glad I got them. They are a really good size for swaddling; much bigger than some other ones that I have. And they're great for just laying over the top of the baby in the car seat or snuggling with in general, and they are so soft. Nolie likes to grab onto them and it's the cutest thing. In general I use a TON of blankets, swaddle or other. We generally keep several in every room, and take a few with us everywhere we go. So blankets (and lots of them) are a must.

Item 2: Changing table
I know this is a controversial item. Many people advocate against changing tables because they think they take up space and are useless pieces of furniture one your baby is potty-trained. I wanted to heed this advice at first, but after a series of events I ended up getting one and I am definitely pro-changing table. I always change her on it, and it's not inconvenient at all. All of the baby essentials and diapers are in baskets on the shelves and I think it's much easier (for me) to keep organized than if everything were in drawers, and much more easily accessible. Plus it will be at least two years (maybe even three, eek) before she is potty trained and by then we *might* just be getting ready for Baby G #2 anyway, so I think this changing table will get a lot of use.

Item 3: The Boppy

I think this is a pretty universally-loved baby item. I've hardly heard of anyone say they never really used their Boppy. We certainly use ours every day. In addition to helping with nursing, it's great for tummy time, and for just having the baby chill in it, as you see Nolie doing above. And hello, they're just so darn cute, those Boppy covers. Turtles, birdies, and bunny rabbits.

Item 4: Baby Bath Tub

I never planned on getting one of these because I thought it would be a big space hog. Enter Ikea. I saw this one there and it was only $6. I'd seen other ones for something like $30-$40. So I thought for that cheap I could at least try it out. I'm glad we got it. I wouldn't have felt comfortable bathing her in our tub when she was tiny and our sinks are too small. It is indeed a space hog, but we just put it in our bathtub when we're not using it. And even if I end up throwing it away after she outgrows it, it was super cheap. I bought that little turtle-shaped sponge for cushioning at Babies-R-Us for like $6 or something, and it's the perfect little bath-time combo.

Item 5: Moby Wrap
This is probably my very favorite baby item (other than like clothes and stuff). A lot of people think these are hard to use and complicated and at first they are, but I just kept practicing putting it on by myself and after getting the hang of it I LOVE this thing. I use it almost everywhere we go, especially if Rob is not with me. I agree it's a bit of a hassle to use the wrap when you go out, but I also HATE dealing with and carrying the car seat, so to me when weighing the options I prefer the Moby. If I know I'm going to use it I will put it on before I leave the house (I look like a ninja when I do this but whatever) and then I can just slip her into it when we get where we're going. It's not uncomfortable at all and my shoulders and back never hurt or get tired because of the way the weight is distributed. She likes being in it most of the time too, and it's nice and snuggly.

As a final note, I will say that of course all of these are my opinions, and you can definitely be just fine without any or probably all of these things. I think the most important thing I wish I would have remembered more often when I was pregnant is that every single person and baby is different, and just because Babies-R-Us says you need a huge list of stuff doesn't mean you do, and at the same time you shouldn't listen to people who tell you you don't need anything either, because the right baby gear for your lifestyle makes taking care of a baby easier and more fun. Basically everyone has their opinion, and you shouldn't let those opinions overwhelm you. Lots of people told me not to get a changing table, and lots of people told me lots of other things about pregnancy and childbirth that are not true for me or were irrelevant (won't go into detail, don't want to start a mommy brawl or anything. Those are all-too common on the internet it seems.). Some reviews and advice are helpful, others are not, and you just have to ultimately decide what you want based on what you like and what you think you will use or need. Every situation is so different.

After saying all of that, you're probably thinking, "What the heck Vienna, if you're telling me not to listen to people's opinions, then why did you write this super long post of stuff you like?" The reason I did it is because I DO think it is helpful to consider the advice of people who have a similar lifestyle, situation, or income as you do. I did this when I was deciding what I needed, and it helped a lot. So if you're in similar shoes to me, you might like some of these things that I do. Happy baby shopping!