What were/are your......

Hey Karen,
As others mentioned travel system, a swing, bouncer, and bumbo were all must haves for me. I also did not care for a changing table...wanted it as part of the set but in the end opted. The play pen we got later had a bassinet and changing table attached so we use(d) that or a bed or floor most times. I actually probably over did but with firsts you have to and then learn later. LOL
I also did not get a diaper genie or anything. I buy little scented diaper bags, available at Wal-Mart, Babies-r-Us, and dollar stores....and put diapers in there and have never had any issues. Could not see spending the money on one although others swear by them.
Also if you plan on breastfeeding I recommend the Brestfriend (SPELLED WITH NO A) pillow. I had the Boppy and this one, which I got at the Lactation shop at the hospital during one of the consults when we had issues and I liked it better. It is firmed and offers better support and you can strap it on. It also has a spot for burp cloth, pacifier, etc in the form of a side pouch. Check it out...

WWW.MYBRESTFRIEND.COM

Oh my gosh, I'm SHOCKED at how many people dislike the Diaper Geenie! I don't have that particular one, but I do have the other "non-name-brand" that they carry at Target and I SWARE BY IT! It's right next to my changing table (which I'm also in love with that I see many others are not! LoL) and about 4 to 5 dirty diapers a day go in it. We only change the thing out once a wee******p day and you would never know we have anything stinky in our house. The baby's room doesn't smell, nothing... I'm a HUGE fan! And everyone who comes over who happens to change a dirty diaper also raves about it. Works great!

I am also ALL about the travel system, made life SOoooo easy with a new born. I was one of those new mom's who was on the go all the time. Pretty much everyday, all day, and baby just tagged along with me no matter what. Half the time he didn't even know we had left the house as he could sleep right through everything in that portable system. It was a life saver for us! I pretty much cried when he outgrew it at 9 months and we switched over to a big boy car seat, makes trips out with him so much harder, I'm looking forward to using the travel system again soon with the next baby!

We we're also crazy about his "car", that's what we called it, but it was just a seated toy/walker he could sit in that had wheels on the bottom so he could run all around the house and follow Mamma. Granted, we live in a house without any stairs so it was safe for us, keep that in mind for your own situation. Baby boy started using that "car" at about 3/4 months old and didn't stop using it until he was physically unable to fit in it anymore, he loved it so much!

My number 1 "don't bother" item is the wipe warmer and bottle warmer. We never used either. The wipe warmer kept drying out all of the wipe before we could use them. And I never ever warmed any of Mack's bottles, he preferred them cold oddly enough, so the wipe warmer I have for his room and for the car never got used at all. All babies are different tho! Have fun registering!!!