NEXT CHALLENGE

Happy Friday everyone - it's time for the next challenge. I've noticed participation steadily declining. I would really love to see more people participating again - the prizes will keep coming I promise! There's still about 45 of you here and I am SO THANKFUL you have all stuck with me and keep entering. If you think about it, tag a friend who might enjoy coming back every week.

This week, baby is the size of a KUMQUAT. (What's a kumquat??). Baby's bones are starting to harden and all facial features are distinct. I plan to start a baby registry in a couple weeks, but this week, I'm making a checklist. The challenge this week is to list an item to be sure not to forget when making a registry!

Changing table! Don't forget that!

Diapers (cloth or disposable, not sure which one you prefer), wipes and onesies - both short sleeved and long sleeved. You can never have enough of them! And a diaper bag.

rocking chair, kids love the gentle motion to help fall asleep... you'll definitely need any and every strategy possible to help them sleep.

Car seat!

You need a baby monitor and those baby walkie-talkies, to keep constant check on your baby when they are alone.

Perhaps a baby thermomiter. Can not really know if there is a fever without one.

I've heard there's specific wind up shushing/white noise machines that get babies to calm down and sleep very easily sometimes, so one of those

A diaper bin!

I just babysat and they really enjoyed one of those little blanket with the stuffed animal. I think it’s like a comfort blanket!

Hey I hope you're feeling better, no more morning sickness?! Don't forget a breast pump, a wind-up swing (my daughter LOVED her's, I was able to wind it up let it go with her in it-she napped, I showered-LOL), a bouncy seat, and a bumper jumper are good a start. Do you see a theme here-LOL!! Have fun picking out you baby's things, do you have a theme for your nursery yet or is that one of our upcoming challenges?

Oooh, so many things to include! Let's see... something that I haven't seen mentioned yet is a stroller or functional diaper bag (backpack ones are great... easier to carry and less strain on one shoulder). If you're into baby-wearing, look at and try a bunch of different wraps!

A cute ducky toy with a temperature gauge in it for bath temperature so it's never too hot or too cold. :) I also like cute little baby wash tubs. :D

Also, I would say for sure bottles - even if you plan on breast feeding a bottle that is easily washable in the dishwasher is a huge plus/need. My sister had some that were more like natural nipple-topped bottles and she used those with great success. Even if you do breast feed you never know when you'l just need to pump and get the meal in that way. And not everyone breast feeds. SO IDK if you have this on the list but that is one I'd get.

And since we are on the topic, bottle warmers are nice, but sort of an extra you don't super need f you know how to check the temp on your wrist.

Also a light up toy for night time and a toy that makes some music -- or maybe just a light-up music-box thingy that sits on dressers, they make a huge variety of them for kids.

Bottles are a good idea, my sister wasn't able to breast feed my niece, right from the start she just would not latch on!

Latching on is a troubling thing for lots of infants. My one brother was tongue tied so it was more difficult for him too!

Yea, I had one sister with an inverted nipple so more than half her kids could never latch on and the other half weren't very good so she either used full formula feed or supplemented with the kids who could. My sister tried using a nipple shield to form the correct shape but nothing seemed to work. I think it's just lucky that for the most part people have so many options and such knowledgeable doctors now!

Totally, when my mom had me, 50+ years ago, she wanted to breast feed and would you believe-they would NOT let her!! I just could not wrap my head around that!

Some beanies to keep the head/ears warm if you live like... anywhere but near the equator xD

A couple of those legless sleepers... I just looked it up, they're called blanket sleepers. Honestly, I loved them, they made me feel better about baby having only one blanket. It was winter, too... LOL So... And they make night time diaper changes easier. Especially if you get mush brain around 1am, and can only handle one zip and not having to find two legs.

I know this sounds weird, but children's books! Reading to your baby is a wonderful way to bond with them. My nephew's baby shower invitations asked each guest to bring their favorite children's book as part of their gift so they could start a library for their little girl.

Another thing to consider is making sure to ask people if they're buying clothes or diapers to give different sizes along with newborn. The baby will quickly outgrow the newborn items and may only wear things once! And if you get a lot of diapers, it's nice to have a size up or 2 for the same reason.

I would say, breast pump! ive seen a couple new mommas forget to buy that! lol