Stuff Stuff Stuff!

And now, my thoughts on baby gear - prepare for ramble, feel free to skip it:

Baby Bargains - Okay, this isn't really gear, but it's all about gear. Actually, I found this book really helpful not for the tips on how to save money, but for the information about what all that stuff is, why I may or may not want it, and what to look for in it once I decide to buy it.

Berkeley Parents Network - Um, also not gear, but a great resource for Berkeley-ites and non-Berkeley-ites alike. If you live within commuting distance, consider siging up for their emails (and then filter out everything except the Marketplace and Announcements emails). If you live outside of the Bay Area, check out the site: it's an amazing compilation of advice on everything from the baby's hair to tipping.

Sling/soft carrier - Oh! there are so many out there. My approach was to buy used and buy several. We have/had the New Native, OTSBH, and Baby Bjorn. I like the simplicity and compactness of the New Native, but unfortunately Zach & I were different sizes so I didn't end up using it much. I like the adjustable-ness of the OTSBH, but it's pretty bulky so we don't bring it around much. The Baby Bjorn was alright, and Molly loved facing out in it, but I couldn't use it long because Molly got too heavy for me. Zach used it (and I think liked it) for quite a while. The Ergo is another carrier that I've never used but I've heard rave reviews about.
Sites to consider: I've heard good things about the slings at Kangaroo Korner and The Baby Wearer has pretty comprehensive sling information.
Timing: I liked having a sling almost immediately and it was fun for Zach to carry Molly around on his belly like I had for so many months. Now that she's bigger I like using the sling for support in the hip-hold, but I'm starting to look into hip-carriers.

Strollers - Another item with a rediculously expansive collection. More than any other piece of baby gear, I think many people (particularly in certain style-concious cities) use their stroller as a status-symbol. If in doubt, read ... oh crap, just read the entire index of daddytypes stroller threads ... I was going to point you in the direction of a piece he did on sroller sighting in Central Park, but there were sooo many stroller pieces... oh, here it is.
I digress. My big piece of advice here is to buy an infant car seat carrier first. Any will do. I've heard good things about the Kolcraft's Universal Carrier, and Combi's Universal Carrier looks interesting if only because it folds up so nice and small! You need the car seat anyhow, and this will buy you time until the baby is older and you have a clue about what might be important to you in a stroller. Plus, it's hecka convenient until your baby grows out of the infant car seat.

Snugglenest - We used ours for months, allowing Molly to nap just about anywhere: in our bed, on the kitchen table, in her crib, in the living room, etc. There's also one by another company that looks interesting to me.

Bottle Drying Rack - not really a necessity, but isn't it cool looking? And while you're there, check out all the other cool-looking stuff that site has!

Sit N Stroll & Backpack Stroller - I don't have either, but just thought they looked interesting and perhaps if I didn't already have a backpack and a car seat I just might look into one of these things. What I am considering getting for our trip east at Thanksgiving is either one of these two sets of wheels for the carseat (that thing is huge!).

Me Too Portable Seat - I got this thing for our travels south and east and love it! So small. So sturdy. So nicely designed. And Molly loves sitting at the table with us, picking cheerios off the table top. Yum!

Svan High Chair - an elegant wood high chair. I saw it in someone's house and was surprised at how compact it is, particularly compared to most high chairs. (Plus, it's gotten rave reviews recently on BPN).

KinderZeat - Another simple wood high chair that grows with the kid. Note the age range difference on the European web site... anyhow, I picked one up off of BPN, but I'm waiting for the safety strap before we use it. It sure looks nice, though. :) In the mean time, our friend's 3-year old enjoyed sitting on it while eating dinner with us.

Ameda Purely Yours - There are two good double electric breast pumps on the market: this one and the Medela Pump In Style. Ameda's is significantly cheaper, and in many ways better: it's easier to clean, has fewer parts, and has a much better hand pump. The Medela, however, has much better marketing. It's the same ol' Beta/VHS thing. In other news... if you're not looking to hook yourself up to a milking machine but perhaps just do some occassional pumping, I've heard absolutely fabulous reviews of the Avent Isis (including some women who use it instead of an electric pump). This just in: I saw a new hands free pump that could either be great or awful - look for reviews.

Easy Expressions Hands-Free Bustier - If you end up doing the double electric milk machine thing, even just a few times a week, this little item will make your time being milked, well, bearable. Ignore the unfortunate promotional materials and order big (or find a store to try it on).