With just a few weeks to go until the arrival of my baby boys, I'm starting to load up on all of the essential baby gear. Cribs and car seats and strollers -- check, check, check. But when it comes to newborns and what kind of clothes they're going to need, my mind is totally boggled! Even the term, "layette," is intimidating, inspiring thoughts of precious wooden chests, full of meticulously-folded, fine-linen baby outfits, sheets of tissue (pronounced: tis-sue) between each delicate piece.

Of course, all my Mommy friends keep telling me that newborns really don't need that many clothes. Really? Because from what I hear, babies spit up and pee and poop themselves eight times a day, often with such force that it soaks through their diaper, their onesie, and the swaddle blanket! And you're telling me that just a handful of onesies will do? Yeah, right.

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You register for lots of things when you are preggers. You're nesting, you're swayed by all of the ohsocute hooded towels, strollers that have their own GPS systems, and all of those dang stuffed animals. And then, there's the clothing. Onesies that zip, button, or snap. Groovy baby jeans. Those smaller-than-you-ever-thought-they-could-be socks.

But be warned -- especially you mothers-to-be of girls! There are three main things you will be swayed to buy that you should not. Really. Trust me.

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If you're looking for the most modern, high-fashion nursery, look no further than Baby Suommo for some of the most awesome, unique, futuristic designs.

The crib and bassinet both have soundless, multidirectional wheels (with brakes), and both come with a hypoallergenic and antimicrobial mattress and sheet set, comforter, and pillow, and the whole thing is lined with silk. Silk!

All have unique ventilation as well to help keep air flowing around the baby.

Talk about luxury! The rest of the collection is no less impressive. 

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Even if you're not a fan of her music, there's no denying that Pink and her husband, former motocross racer and now tattoo magnate Carey Hart, are one hip, edgy pair of parents-to-be. Somehow I think they'll be forgoing the traditional baby shower for something a bit more rock star.

Let's imagine that you've scored an invite to the event. What sort of gift do you bring for a baby with two pretty unconventional parents? Here's what Pink might want to be adding to her baby registry.

 

 

 

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Pacifier sterilizing machines? NO.When I was pregnant, I originally wasn't going to register. For anything. See, I'm a bit of a tightwad and I LERVE me a good, frugal deal. I honestly didn't see the point in registering for brand-new stuff that I either didn't need or could mooch from a relative in decent shape.

Plus, I figured it was better for the environment, blah, blah, BLAH.

I have a huge family so the shower was going to be a HUGE affair. A few relatives convinced me to register just for a few items that I did want brand-new (like car seats and strollers, since I had fairly strong opinions on those). And as I walked around the store with that little clicky-lasery gun, I just about wet myself laughing (yes, you can wet yourself laughing when pregnant. SHUT UP) at some of the crappity crap they convince you that you NEED when you have a baby. Chances are, unless you live in a Pottery Barn Catalog, you won't need some of these things.

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Buying used is a great way to save money when you're having a baby. Craigslist and other used item websites can be an absolute godsend, but you have to know how to shop smart. For every listing with a great price and great product, there is a dangerous, overpriced, or completely un-usable item.

We already know you absolutely should not buy a used car seat (you can get new ones, safe ones, for free), and cribs usually aren't a great idea either, but what else should you avoid and how can you avoid getting scammed?

 

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When a mom-to-be registers for her baby shower, or goes shopping for baby supplies, it's insanely overwhelming. It's almost impossible to figure out what you're going to need and want, and what you are going to end up hating.

Ask any mom friend, and one will swear by her changing table, and the next will insist it's a waste of money because you'll never use it.

Manufacturers want to assure you that you need their product -- that your life will be a thousand times easier if you just shell out some dough. Sometimes that's true! Sometimes it's just something you'll toss in a corner and never touch. And occasionally, the product is actually dangerous. Here are 6 baby items you really don't need.

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My son's hand-painted monsters.

When I brought Rowan home, the nursery was a celestial theme, with light blues and yellows, and I loved it (though he didn't sleep there until he was 3). I was so excited about buying girl things when I was pregnant with my daughter that I spent an embarrassing amount on the crib set with matching wall decorations and curtains for my daughter's room (that she's never slept in even once). Now my son's room is all Star Wars, Spider-Man, Ben 10, and other boy things. He also has a big love of monsters, and frankly, so do I.

Most nurseries, no matter how "unique," often revolve around celestial or animal themes, but not these ideas! I feel that the movie Monsters, Inc. probably has helped a lot of kids not be afraid of "monsters in the closet," and so will these fun monster ideas for the nursery.

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