Baby Love

Disclaimer: This is a long over due post that assumes you've read this post.

So along with being half way there, comes the "stuff." Yes, you'd think I'd love any excuse to shop, and I do, but gosh where do you start? I don't want to go overboard, but I do know that I want multiple kids so want to get some quality items that I can re-use. I also want to find a balance between the American way of filling our home with lots of junk that barely gets used and the third world way of having nothing. I want to keep in mind that strong empowered women, all through out history and even all over the world today, have birthed babies without medicine, fed babies without special bottles, wiped babies without special warmers, and traveled without the top of the line strollers. So where should I draw the line? What things should I splurge on and what things aren't necessary at all? What are the modern baby conveniences that really are convenient and what are the modern baby conveniences that are just a waste of space?

Parenting/Pregnancy Books. What are you/did you read? So far I've read or am reading...

• What to Expect When You're Expecting ; My thoughts on this book are good. It seems to be helpful so far. It's informative and simple and was certainly more fun to read when I first learned I was pregnant. It was almost like a rite of passage. Does that make sense? Also, this book is really easy to use as just a reference, so I say go for it.
  
• Mayo Clinic: Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy; This book is almost exactly like What to Expect... I got it from my insurance company and I use it like a reference book. I do have to say I think the medical issues are addressed more in-depth, and I feel like this book is more official for some reason. I feel like I'll pick both books up around 8-9 months when I'm closer to bringing baby home.
  
• The Pregnancy Journal; Love this one! Tziporah got it for me for my b-day and I read it every week. I always read ahead and then have to stop myself. You can put your due date in the back of the book and fill in the dates backwards to know somewhat precisely the development of your baby each day. It tells you about how pregnancy is viewed in other cultures and historically, and it gives you a place to journal if you so desire. I have only written down a few things like my cravings (apples, apples, ice cream, apples!), weight gain (haha... not happening), and doctors appointment notes (measurements and whatnot). This book also helps you keep up with what week you're in in your pregnancy. As easy as it seems, I have been thrown off a few times.
• On Becoming Babywise; I love this book. I love this blog. I only hope to sing it's praises one year, two years, three years from now. I think there are some similar books out there and I'd love to hear about them. Seriously. I LOVE this book.
  
• Expecting: Prayers for your Child's Development; My MIL got me this book and it's so neat. It does follow along with the developmental stages that the other books discuss each day/week but it has a special prayer for the baby. It's a way to pray for what's going on in your baby's life as it's happening.
  
• Don't Make Me Count to Three; I'm reading through this book in a book study with some women in my church. It's a little premature as we won't have a toddler on our hands, Lord willing, for a year or so, but I love it. I love how easy the author is to read, I love thinking about and seeing all the ways in which I need to grow as a Godly parent starting now. This book is said to be a great compliment to Shepherding a Child's Heart which i have every intention of reading next.
  

Diapers. What do you use? What have you heard? Here's what I'm thinking...

• We may or may not go down to one income after our baby is born. Ideally we'd like to go to one and a half, but we'll see. We're still praying/thinking this over and hoping that God will open some opportunistic doors one way or another. But possibly going down to one income means our budget will be less than it is today.
  
• I've seen a bunch of statistics and graphs and charts showing how much money parents can save by cloth diapering (around $2500 per kid and even more if you re-use them with other kids).
  
• I've considered the disposable diapers and the issue of most diapers not being decomposable for at least 500 years or so (depending on brand). I also considered how much I hate dealing with trash.
• I considered the facts that children who wore cloth diapers were potty trained sooner than those in disposable diapers.
  
• I considered the fact that if I use cloth diapers I will be doing laundry at least every other day if not every day.
• I considered the fact that cloth diapers might be a deterrent to others who may need/want to change my kids' diaper (sunday school, nanny, babysitter, family, husband??, etc.) and that I may need to compromise in certain situations, and/or be the only one to change my kid's diapers.
  
• I considered the fact that cloth diapers reduce and sometimes eliminate issues of diaper rash.
  

• I did my comparison with Seventh Generation Diapers from Target and decided that, though the Seventh Generation Diapers seemed like a good, reasonably priced, disposable diaper, I would like to try cloth diapering first. I may use those diapers sparingly while traveling or if I go back to work during the time that I am not around to change the cloth diaper. If not, I will try to use the disposable inserts that work with some of the diapers I am thinking of using.

So I'm thinking of using these two diapers.

GRO BABY DIAPERS
BUM GENIUS

I'm curious, has anyone else tried them? If you use cloth diapers or know someone who does, what pre-folds do you recommend? What about a wet bag recommendation? The Gro Baby diapers don't require pre-folds, but the Bum Genius's do.

Registry Items. Help! I'm so overwhelmed with all sorts of Baby "stuff." What are the essentials? Am I the only person who thinks that registering is difficult? What things would you recommend getting? I'd love to get your thoughts on great brands that will last through multiple kids.

• Grooming Kits
• Crib Mattress (organic or not?)
  
• Stroller (are you a fan of travel systems or do you recommend otherwise)
  
• Baby Books (any recommendations other than the Margaret Wise books... that's the only awesome author I know so far)
• Wipe Warmer (I've heard some swear by it and others never use it.... thoughts?)
• Pacifiers (what have you tried?)
• Baby Monitor (any great experiences with one of these?)
• Creams, potions, lotions, powders (what do you swear by?)
• Breastfeeding items (calling all BF mom's. what are the "must haves?")

OK I'm really hoping some of my mom friends will step up and help a sista out. I'm pretty sure you won't just be helping me as I have several pregnant friends who read this blog. Other ladies, what did you register for? What are your thoughts?