The Diaper Report:

do not be penny-wise and pound-foolish. While it costs more to keep the Toddler in either costco brand or name brand (huggies or pampers) diapers, the alternative is a red butt. It's more effective to spend a little more and buy the diapers that do not give her a rash or make her cranky. And a not-cranky baby is a happy mama. A happy mama who can devote her energy to more positive things, like cleaning and doing laundry.

Speaking of laundry, we're almost ready to run a few loads. I've started only doing one load a day because of the amount of heat the dryer puts out. Even though it's vented, and in a closed off room, it's truly amazing how much it spreads to the rest of the house.

Is it a greedy thing that I'm starting to come up with an amazon registry for the Little Bit? I really don't think so, and this is why: We live on the opposite side of the country from family and family friends, and indeed from almost everyone who will feel the desire to give us something for the baby. Is it not more efficient to create an online list of what we actually want and need? This can be viewed anonymously by the gift givers, used as a guideline for the gifts they wish to send, and it will save them asking the grandmother's to be what to get. I am completely comfortable with my mothers' tastes, but this will also save them time and save me from a potential miscommunication about the nursery plans. Note: the most critical thing to note about the registry is that I'm choosing not to share it with anyone except by request, and until my motherinlaw asks about it I'm not telling her it exists. (although I will tell her and my mom about it around the traditional baby shower time).

Most of what we received for the Toddler was clothing. I told everyone that I didn't know what I needed, and as a new mom I was generally clueless. I got a lot of clothing. This time around it's less on the clothing and more practical stuff. Gear. The Toddler was very hard on both her infant toys, her Boppy, and believe it or not she wore out the Glider rocking chair. I can jury-rig it to work, but the gliding mechanism that makes it function is seriously broken.