Baby Must Haves

I convinced myself that Lucas needed the above toy. I sent away for it on Amazon. I paid probably close to $17 for it. Turns out he didn't need it. We referred to this toy affectionately as "Boobie Man." Unfortunately, I lie awake at night now imagining where Boobie Man was chucked out of Lucas' carseat. Is he lying in the grass in Golden Gate Park? Has he become a chew toy for a lovely French Bulldog? Is he sitting in the bottom of the bin at The Cal Academy, and if so, why haven't they called me after I have left them thirteen messages? I am exaggerating. A bit. But still, I am sort of wanting to put a moratorium on toys and baby things. Lucas' toys are occupying a good portion of the living room, and it's not so much that I don't want him sucking on questionably BPA-free plastic, buying into commercialism and consumerism, or babysitting himself with said plastics--I don't want any of those things either--it's just that I know he doesn't need all those things to be a happy baby. He can play with the simplest things or be entertained exploring, listening and interacting.

Having said all this, there are ten baby things that I either find very useful or are just so nice to have I think they are worth mentioning.

1. Boon Squirt Spoons. He can't grab them while I'm trying to feed him, and I can put his frozen homemade foods in there and they thaw while we're out and make feeding him on the go very easy.
2. Baby Carriers. My favorites have been the Moby, then the Balboa adjustable ring sling, and the Ergo.
3. Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair. It does all the things its name says.
4. Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe blankets. OMG. They are incredible at calming him and guess what, he is suddenly sleeping through the night two weeks before I go back to work. Amazing.
5. Pacifier clips. I use these more for his toys while we are eating in restaurants since he is over his two week acceptance of pacifiers.
6. Summer Infant video monitor. We have a two story house and this really gives us some peace of mind, as well as gives us a better idea of fussing versus distress crying.
7. Medela Pump 'N Style. I don't know if there is a more efficient way of pumping, but I find its adjustable speeds and strengths pretty amazing.
8. Bumkins bibs. Super absorbent, and I love the organic cotton.
9. Infant Car Seat with base that attaches to stroller. Helps him sleep through transitions without having to be taken out all the time.
10. Magic Bullet. I make all his baby food with this, but I hear you can just screw Mason jars on blenders for the same, if not better effect

I'd like to add some pictures of the products, but I have to get ready for my last nonwalker playdate I'm hosting tomorrow. In summer, all the babies we've gotten to know will be walking for sure. Oh yeah, I'm going back to work. A post recapping the last seven month in a love letter to Lucas is coming up. Soon, I will be posting about my big life change, and may have to put my blog on lock. My handful of readers, let me know if you want a password.