Oh Baby! ... Shower

I got to go to a baby shower this past Saturday. First of all the mommy to be is adorable! And I was really excited to be invited. As some of you may know I take invitations seriously because it's an honor for me to be included in such a happy occasion! The shower was lovely of course and a great time was had by all.

The gift opening was the last part, which it usually is, and she had some great gifts! I want to tell you my top 10 list of gifts to get for expecting parents, and a couple SUPER cute and even easier ways to present them!

These gifts are in no particular order, but if you're stumped these are gifts they'll thank you for! (No seriously thank you not just like "oh yeah hey thanks for that stuff, it's cool.") In no particular order:

1. Baby wash in the pump bottle; GENIUS. At first I just thought oh whatever, I don't need it in the pump, until I went to use it. SO much handier and makes tubby time that much faster and easier. Plus, soap is a must have and a will go through item so it doesn't matter if you get duplicates.

2. Diapers - okay this one is obvious I know, but hear me out. Everyone always wants to get diapers in the newborn - size 1. I say, get them size 2 or up. Babies will spend most of their time in 2, 3 and up. They grow out of newbie diapers quick so steer clear of those and go for a bigger size that will save the parents money later!

3. Boudreaux's Butt Paste. This stuff is the DIGGITY!!! It's amazing, it will clear up diaper rash in a matter of hours not days! I had a friend who's baby is the same age as my daughter. And she had a NASTY diaper rash, I lent my friend a tube of my Butt Paste and she said it was gone the next day. She honestly couldn't believe it because nothing was working. She loved it so much she went out and bought her own!

4. Pacifier cleaning wipes. Holy Moses these things are amazing. I buy the Munchkin brand from Target, about 4 bucks for a packet of 36. They're alcohol free, no chemicals and they work on anything anywhere. Even if the parents don't use pacifiers, you can clean cups, bottles, toys anything your baby wants to drop at the exact moment you can't clean it. Just put these babies in your diaper bag and go!

5. Lansinoh anything. Even if your mom to be isn't going to nurse, she may still lactate and leak she may need nursing pads. Lansinoh brand is the BEST and it's middle of the road in terms of price. If your mommy is going to nurse the nipple cream is a LIFE saver. I had a terrible time nursing my baby early on it was so painful, this cream was recommended to me and I've never felt such awesome relief! Works like an amazing charm!!

6. Bibs. Again, this is an easy one. But when I realized I didn't have ENOUGH bibs and wanted to buy more, I was kinda shocked at how expensive they are! When you're a parent, especially one on a limited income, everything seems expensive. I never ended up buying anymore but wish I had. Bibs get used up quick and it feels like you're always having to wash them! So as many as possible are great!

7. Receiving blankets. Man o mighty these things are awesome!! You can honestly use them for anything. Swaddle blanket, burp rag, clean up spills, clean up puke, you can use them as a changing  pad. They can have tummy time on them. Receiving blankets are another item you just can't have enough of!

8. Any kind of soft chewy toy. My baby loved these as a baby and I don't think I had enough. She'd get bored and I ran out of them to give her. You can buy them just about anywhere and they make a great filler item. The kind that can hang from your car seat are awesome!

9. Onsies. I kinda can't emphasize this one enough. Babies will live in onsies til they're 2. (Well a lot of babies will) I was and am always out of them. Babies, especially new ones will spit up on, puke on, drool on, snot on, poop on, and pee on their clothes almost as if it's their job. Sometimes I think it is, but you'll change clothes like nobodies business so you'll need a lot of onsies. For those who don't know, they are the shirts that snap under the crotch. They come in short and long sleeve and most parents will use them for everything from sleep wear to and extra layer under an outfit. They are an essential must have and it'll always seem as if you don't have enough! Plain white are recommended because they will match anything. Colorful ones with patterns are cute, but your baby will look like it was dressed by a crazy person if you need to layer it underneath something that doesn't match.

10. Baby proofing items. Again, everyone likes to get things for the baby right now. But we all forget that babies grow pretty quick. Most pediatricians recommend that as soon as your baby rolls over you should baby proof your house. Well if you're like our house, our baby rolled over at 6 weeks. Holy early for most babies, but we didn't even have a baby gate! So you can make the big purchase of a baby gate, or a small filler purchase like outlet covers or cabinet-keeper-closers. Yeah I made up a word for an item I don't know what it's called! We can fight about it or we can move on your choice! We just installed the last item and let me tell you ... GOD SEND! Emma was into every cabinet in the kitchen and always pulling out either potentially dangerous items or freshly washed baby eating items. Either way it's annoying and hazardous. So these will be put to great use and if the parents have them, they can just put them on and not have to worry about running out and getting some.

Those are all things I use and think are positively amazing. I wouldn't recommend them if I didn't but I stand by them all totally. Now for a few things I WISH I had and recommend. A cover for grocery carts and restaurant high chairs. What a great idea. Most babies go through a phase of gnawing on EVERYTHING. It's a combination of learning (babies learn the world by putting things in their mouth) and teething. They need to chew like a brand new puppy. So having a cover for the shopping cart would have saved me a lot of headache and gross out. On many occasions I would look back or down and there was my little princess with her precious little mouth all over that infested metal cart! BLEH. Covers are the way to go! Also, a plastic roll up place mat with suction cups. My friend, previously mentioned in this post, has one and it's just amazing. You can put anything on there and know it's clean instead of worrying about food falling onto the table you know was cleaned with some now brown but started white semi clean dishrag. It suctions to the table, has a catch that hangs off to catch falling toys, crayons or food, dishwasher safe and can just roll up to go anywhere. You always have a clean eating space for your pumpkin!

Keep in mind, any gift given to parents is going to be supremely appreciated! Every little bit helps. But these items I feel like parents NEED to have. They will all definitely get used a LOT. So save your money from buying that ridiculously cute newborn outfit they'll only wear once, maybe. Or that over priced stuffed animal and buy them something everyday usable. Let the grandparents and close aunts and uncles buy the cutsie stuff and you stick with the practical. It's easy on the wallet and they really will thank you. If nothing up there strikes you, BOOKS are always a great go to. Cardboard books are fabulous and often you can get them for less than $5. Other books, are plastic bathtime books; can go anywhere, your baby can chew on them, easy to clean, and durable. Great gift!

Now. Quickly, because this post is getting long. Here are two ways to prepare your gift that will get ALL the ladies talkin! The first is a diaper cake. I'm sure most of you have either heard of this or have seen one. Super fabulously cute and very easy to make. Buy a pack of diapers, package of rubber bands, receiving blanket, bottle, and bibs. Cut a piece of cardboard in a large circle like you see for cakes. Cover with receiving blanket covering tightly and taping into place. Roll up the diapers and secure with rubber bands. Stand them up in the cardboard forming a circle. Make sure that you have enough diapers to do at least 2 layers. The top layer stand the bottle upright and pack the rolled diapers around it. (The bottle should look like a candle) Secure your cake rounds of diapers either with a giant rubber band (to be covered by ribbon) or tightly tied ribbon. The bottom layer should extend further than the top layer. Drape bibs over top layer to resemble icing. For added bonuses you can put a package of wipes in the middle of the bottom layer when you are forming your diapers in a circle. You can also add things like pacifiers, rattles or little toys and secure them with ribbon. Finish product is useful and adorable. The idea I saw this weekend is even easier and just as practical! Buy onsies and socks in matching pairs. Fold the onsies in half then roll and stuff the socks in the middle. Bingo you have onsie cupcakes! Secure with tape or a rubber band and put them in a cute cardboard box with a plastic window. They look just like cupcakes bought from a bakery!

So now you are prepared either as a first time parent wondering what the heck you need, or as a shower guest going ... I can't afford a $245 mattress! Have no fear your gift ideas are here.

Good luck and have fun!! :)