Things to remember before I forget... about babies.

There are so many things we've learned along the way with this little bundle of joy. Some of them are definitely things no one could have told us to expect since each baby is different. But some of the basics, well, I wish I would have known sooner.

This blog is dedicated to a simple list of things to know for the next round, or wisdom to share with friends who are welcoming their little ones. I'll add to the list as I think of things, and as we learn new lessons.

• Socks are simply not necessary for at least the first 9+ months. Same goes for shoes. Until they start walking, avoid the hassle of chasing down lost socks in stores. Shoes are super cute, but useless. Now, of course, if you live in a cold climate, I'm not saying to go out in the freezing cold with 10 little piggies exposed, but on a daily basis, they just aren't worth the hassle.
• Adorable little fancy dresses are just that. Adorable. But not practical. Only buy these for a specific event, for which you already know the date, weather, and how big the kid really is.
• Hats go with shoes and socks. Have one or two on hand, but that's it! Don't buy the outfit with the matching socks, shoes, bibs, hats, and the whole nine yards. Even if it's a great deal!
• Don't waste your money on 30" x 30" receiving blankets. They'll outgrow them in a few weeks, and then you're left with these things that are too small to be blankets, too large to be burp cloths. Cute or not, go for the bigger ones - at least 30" x 40". The waffle weave thermal ones are the best - stretchy, warm, but not heavy, and a variety of prints and colors.
• The swing is a godsend. Just make sure to check to see if the seat is adjustable, and you CAN put your newborn in it. We were idiots and forgot to adjust the recline position back to flat so we didn't use it for the first 6-8 weeks, and that would have been great to have.
• The tummy time mats are worth it.
• No matter how many toys you have, the favorites will be remotes, keys, cell phones, and empty plastic bottles.
• The nipples for bottles come in different levels... don't forget to change them out. When the baby gets fussy because the bottle is too slow, and you realize different levels are options, you should not realize that your little one should be using a level 4, when she's still on level 1.
• Crinkly paper toys rock for the first 6-8 months or so. Then, it's all about having things to bang together and pieces to pick up and throw.
• If you're using disposable diapers, pampers swaddlers are the best. Don't even look at the others for the first 6+ months.
• For cloth diapers, all-in-ones make our lives simpler. Some friends have used other types with great successes. For our little one, AIOs, preferably pocket-style are great.
• Butt Paste works on everything.
• Teatree Oil is available at Walgreens. A few drops in the wash with cloth diapers makes the stinky go away and it has great antibacterial properties. (Thanks for the tip, Nikel!)
• The Tiny Love Symphony in Motion mobile is wonderful, as is the Fisher Price Rainforest waterfall soother.
• For nail clippers, go with the kind that has the big plastic bulb-looking thing on the end. It's much easier to hold. The plastic guard on the clipper type are horrible though!
• Generic brands are fine for just about everything... except wipes. Pampers wipes are the best, then Huggies, but Parent's Choice wipes are not in the running at all.
• There's no such thing as taking too many pictures or videos. Time flies, and one day, maybe when you retire, you'll want to put them all in an album or scrapbook.
• The baby MP3 player is worth it.
• Huggies Overnights actually work... from 20+ pounds.
Don't buy onesies past 12 months. They're great up to then, and after a year, they become a pain in the rump. Sippy cups are a conspiracy to see how many you'll buy before you find the right one. Good luck. The ones with the silicone spouts wear out pretty quickly. Replacements are available, but with a teething child, they don't stand a chance. Learning sign language is SO worth the effort. We use the Baby Signing 1-2-3 book and flashcards by SignBabies.com. It's true ASL, and it's simply amazing to see how much McKayla understands and wants to communicate before she's physically able to speak the right words.
• V8 Fusion is much better than traditional fruit juices. Mac chugs the stuff, and it's actually good for her!
• NEVER, ever, ever give a kid milk if she has had a stomach virus.  Even if she hasn't gotten sick in 3-4 days, don't do it!  Soy milk is a wonderful thing during that time.