Baby Registry Made Easy

I love lists. I physically write a "To Do" list every morning so I can cross things off... in pen... and smile when the paper is all scribbles! It is so damn satisfying. You know what else is satisfying? Helping someone find the perfect gift! So lists + gifts = My Happy Place. Gift giving is so fun for me. This season IS my season. No person too difficult! Seriously, message me if you want more help. I'm up for the challenge. But point- I love it. People always ask me for help. So its time to share.

First up- Babies. Every baby, heck every adult, is different. What worked for us, might work for you. Maybe not! Who knows! Babies definitely have their own cool personalities and part of the fun is figuring that out. Our aim is to be easy, fun and judgement/stress free! Also lets keep in mind, after a year, I might now be a dinosaur because there are new and better toys, products, and technology out there. At any rate... you clicked this blog so here we go:

I am not a researcher. I am most certainly a trial and error kind of gal. And I LOVE trying new things. So when our son was born we didn't read any books, or online reviews. Oh noooo.... we actually didn't even have time for trial and error. Reece decided to show up into this world nearly three months early, and we legitimately had NOTHING. Not even an idea of what we needed. We had not had a baby shower, it was still in the height of the pandemic, and we had to pick up and fly to Florida within hours of the emergency news, so I didn't even have enough underwear to get through a week. Let alone six. So.... We just went straight to: Juli, my bestie, Meg, the queen of research, and our hospital's NICU staff: Professionals! Bless these ladies (and Scott, the only male here and our hospital's NICU charge nurse) x100000.

These three were were GOLD! Juli, was our lifeline. She still is. Holy moly. There isn't enough space on the internet for me to write how amazing she was and still is. She made our entire baby registry, sent out the baby announcements, reminded us of what we needed/where to find it, and she mailed (still mails) us SO much stuff, just because. She knows babies. She's a highly experienced ER nurse, wound care specialist and momma herself! And since I've known Juli since Kindergarten (35+ years!), she knows exactly what I need, when I need it. She has helped fill a role my own Mom would have, if she were still alive. Not really sure what I did in this world to get a Juli, but I hope everyone has one. (And I hope I am that person for her!) Then there was: Meg! She had all the data (and an EPIC Google Doc) on the best strollers, cribs, toys, car seats, based on online reviews. She was like Angie's List with reviews and articles on everything. For me to find this info would have taken YEARS. So heck yes to easy data! And lastly, a NICU nurse KNOWS all the tricks for babies. It is literally their job to stay on top of trends, myths, must-haves and more! So we didn't need to research. We had the best of the best at our fingertips

So..... this list below is a combo of all of that! From Meg's deep internet dives, to Juli's must-haves from experience, to the recommendations from our amazing NICU. I hope this list helps someone create their own list or find an epic gift for someone else.... But in honesty, mostly I hope this pays forward the extreme generosity that so many people poured into us.

First, my TOP five FAVORITES. Anytime someone asks, these are it. And they are the perfect idea for a gift ranging from $10-$300. These are big winners:

1) An Owlet. A heart rate, oxygen, and sleep monitor baby wears on the foot. It then pairs to an app on your smartphone that gives you info, real time knowledge, and alerts if something is wrong or if baby stops breathing. Our son was on oxygen for many weeks in the hospital. So when we left, the NICU and a friend recommended this wonderful TOOL to help us be more aware. It is NOT a use it and everything is fine now fix. But this, paired with all the other normal precautions gave us a little more peace of mind and confident: https://amzn.to/3iLE3a6

2) HD Car Mirror. The hubs worked for Youth and Family Services with the Police Department. He ALWAYS recommends this product first and foremost to EVERYONE. It helps to more vividly see baby breathing. Too many scary stories that broke my heart. The plastic mirrors are outdated. This technology ROCKS. I can see my son clearly breathing in the backseat. Think old 1950s TV clarity compared to HD quality... if you even remember life with non-HD TV. No question which to pick: https://amzn.to/3iHUtAe

3) Tula Carrier. Yeahhh it is more expensive. But it worked FAR better than the wraps, slings, and the Ergobaby carrier we tried. Trial and error's my thing, right? Buy the Tula and save your money on the others. And if you don't care about the color, you can get a SWEEEEET deal: https://amzn.to/3iO3A2s

4) The BEST music toy ever. Instant happiness. There are even internet articles saying the same thing too. I love this thing so much that I didn't even care we got 4 of them as gifts: https://amzn.to/3YdlX0L

5) We are OBSESSED with this swing. Still. This was a gift from Jeff's boss. What kindness. Our son LOVES this even now. And, like the music toy, it instantly makes him happy. We call this the last ditch effort station. If he's not happy, into the swing! And 99% of the time, pure magic! We had two other swings before this one. This one is by FAR the winner: https://amzn.to/3hfA5pK

Anddddd because these two items were SO close to making the Top 5- So lets give them an honorable mention:

6) Relax and rock or glide or swivel in this epic chair. It is so comfy. It's currently at our renovation home and I cry on the inside every night without it: https://amzn.to/3UNkQC2

7) Time saving. EASY! Hassle free. Worth the money- HANDS DOWN: Formula Machine: https://amzn.to/3VFOH0D

Ok. Everything else is cool and fun and I'm sure could work beautifully for you too. Or not! Just ideas here, friends. There is a little bit of everything and yet still lots to add to round out a complete baby registry. We hope this gets you started or helps you pick out the perfect gift (although you really should pick from the seven items above if you are gift giving!)

Happy Shopping:

Easy Swaddles: https://amzn.to/3hdstUM

NICU Recommended Bottles & Nipples: https://amzn.to/3VHRAxP

Sink Bath Flower: https://amzn.to/3YchNXd

Bath Cup: https://amzn.to/3FdI2Uf

Car Seat and Stroller: https://amzn.to/3Pvj1cd

Diapers/Wipes: https://amzn.to/3YcssAU

Wash Bottles: https://amzn.to/3FG0cQg

Bottle Sponge: https://amzn.to/3UIjqc7

Diaper Bag: https://amzn.to/3W1K8NL

Aquaphor: https://amzn.to/3uEWAaN

Butt cream: https://amzn.to/3uCcAu0

Receiving Blankets: https://amzn.to/3Hjtq8E

Soft Blanket: https://amzn.to/3PkA2pm

Chest Rub: https://amzn.to/3FDw33N

Thermometer: https://amzn.to/3FDblRz

Nose Spray: https://amzn.to/3h9fOlQ

Baby Motrin: https://amzn.to/3h7aRtL

Baby Tylenol: https://amzn.to/3Y70YwF

Pacifiers: https://amzn.to/3uzbZJA

Baby Monitor: https://amzn.to/3W2TBEB

Sound Machine: https://amzn.to/3FgITnm

Infant Rattles: https://amzn.to/3uDi9IC

Baby Play Mirror: https://amzn.to/3Bl81Ip

Onesies: https://amzn.to/3BlBDWb

Long Sleeve onesies: https://amzn.to/3hh2bRl

Infant mittens: https://amzn.to/3hfqHT1

Elderberry Drops: https://amzn.to/3VLxiDF

Skin Repair Spray: https://amzn.to/3Y8f2G6

Drying Rack: https://amzn.to/3VCAqSi

Poop Log: https://amzn.to/3VYnyFV

Poop Can: https://amzn.to/3BiN7cT

Refills: https://amzn.to/3VIjGZT

No mess hand prints: https://amzn.to/3HgDWxv

Sunglasses: https://amzn.to/3uAzAty

Baby Aviators: https://amzn.to/3PfS8bS

Best Booties: https://amzn.to/3Y07JQZ

Booger Picker: https://amzn.to/3UHB6Vp

Silicone Mat with Tethers: https://amzn.to/3Y8EwDc

Mini Fridge: https://amzn.to/3h9Dmqw

Silicone Bibs: https://amzn.to/3W227nh

1st High Chair: https://amzn.to/3Bm7hTb

Bath Pads: https://amzn.to/3W0royi

Small Tub: https://amzn.to/3uBJU4l

Play cups: https://amzn.to/3VHWsDm

Baby Rings Toy: https://amzn.to/3iOEJeS

Current fav bath toys: https://amzn.to/3UKdE9J

Airplane Teether: https://amzn.to/3hduwrW

Bee Teether: https://amzn.to/3BlKZRF

Frozen Teethers: https://amzn.to/3hcUWKq

Running Stroller: https://amzn.to/3UOaRwe

Currently loving: https://amzn.to/3W675zz

And this toy too: https://amzn.to/3UNcfQ3

Any suggestions? Must-Haves I missed? Please please email, tag or message us with them. Happy babies = happy parents. And no one ever complained about anyone being too happy.