At this point in my parenting career, I’m ready to purge. I can’t wait until the baby outgrows the infant car seat, so I can FINALLY give it away. I can’t wait until she’s too big for the swing, so it can cease being part of my family room furniture. As I opened my gifts, I thought, “there can’t possibly be anything this baby needs.” How wrong I was.

So, here in reverse order is my top ten:  all new items that I discovered on this, my fourth and final child. How did I ever live without…

10. Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddles
These blankets are fabulous. Lightweight, 100% cotton muslin, breathable, soft. I love the size (47” x 47”) and the fact that they wash so well. They can be used for absolutely everything: blanket, swaddle, stroller or car seat cover and your baby’s new best friend. Cute prints and sold in packs of four, two or individually.

http://www.adenandanais.com/

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddles

9. The Miracle Blanket
I was never big on the swaddling. After several weeks my babies always broke free of the swaddle and seemed more comfortable. The miracle blanket changed my mind. This blanket is wonderful. Baby slept like a champ and I became a swaddle advocate.

http://www.miracleblanket.com/

8. Primo Bath Seat
I inherited this seat from a friend. It sits inside your bathtub – perfect for my daughter to share bath time with her siblings. Baby lays back and is ready to be bathed. I’ve wrestled with filling and then spilling the little tubs. Wondered if my baby was actually getting clean lying on a “do not put in the washing machine” bath pillow. The Primo finally got it right.

http://www.primobaby.com/

7. Bebe au Lait hooded bath towel
Like the bath seat, I’ve tried it all in the towel department. This one is my favorite. Soft, perfect size for baby and washes really well. Love the trim.

www.bebeaulait.com

6. Cute Socks
I always thought these were overrated, but when I see her little ballet slipper feet or pink Mary Janes, I smile.

http://www.trumpette.com/

Trumpette Socks

5. Carter’s sleep sacks
These are like sleeping bags for infants. My baby sleeps in one every night. They are so soft, they keep baby warm and comfortable and they eliminate the need for any sort of heavy blanket. My seven-year-old son asked if he could have one – I laughed at the image as I told him that he might have trouble walking.

www.carters.com

4. Layering & Lovies
My girlfriend has a sleep coach (something I never thought I needed, but probably would have helped!). Over the course of several conversations, I’ve accumulated the Cliff’s notes version of the coach’s ideas. Top of the list for a good sleeper are layering and lovies. Layer your baby: a onesie, pajamas and a sleep sack, depending on temperature. And a lovey or some sort of soft toy that baby can play with, snuggle, chew on safely and finally sleep with. My baby wears layers day and night now and loves to see Bun-Bun, her little pink bunny lovey, at nap and nighttime.

http://www.angeldear.net/

3. Built Bag
These neoprene totes are perfect for baby bottles, baby food and even snacks for mom. Easy to clean, they come in bright, bold colors and fun patterns and prints. Beyond the baby years they can be used for school lunches.

http://www.builtny.com/

2. The Bumbo

A friend gave me her bumbo with play tray. I had seen this when my third child was a baby, but she seemed happy enough in our old bouncy chair, so I skipped it. Not this time around. This seat is great. Made from one piece of foam, it is soft, durable and so easy to clean. Aptly, its full name is the Bumbo Baby Sitter. Just one more place to safely put baby when you need both hands.

http://www.bumboshop.com

1. The Hooter Hider
Number one on my list: the Hooter Hider. This is the only item I actually asked for. I had seen them, but never tried one, and now I can’t believe I waited so long. They are perfect for nursing. I use it as a sun shade with the Baby Bijorn, a lightweight blanket, a cover for the car seat when she’s sleeping, an emergency burp cloth. I’m never without it – and you shouldn’t be either!

www.bebeaulait.com

Hooter Hider in Nest

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I guess I’m getting to that age where I’m actually becoming quite a seasoned veteran attendee of baby showers. Though, for as many baby shower games for which I’ve participated, I’ve yet to win! I do have a few favorites, however, that I’d love to share along with a few new ones which I was introduced to last week. If I’ve missed any of your favorites, please feel free to comment with yours!

1. Guess Who? Baby Photo Game. A classic and very appropriate for the occasion. On the invite, ask each guest to bring a baby photo of themselves. As guests arrive, carefully (because some of these photos are priceless!) put them all on display. If there’s a chance not all of your guests know each other, list each name in random order somewhere. Allow guests to write down which baby photo belongs to who. (This is an excellent ice breaker!) After all have been revealed, tally up and announce who got the most right! (And of course, have a token prize the winner. ) Supplies: baby photos, tape, pen, paper.

2. Dress Baby. In teams of two, dress a baby doll (diaper and all) with one hand behind your back. A stop watch helps determine the winner. The team to dress their baby the fastest wins! Supplies: 1 baby doll, 1 diaper, baby clothing, stopwatch.

3. Pass the Dirty Diaper. Fill a diaper with partially melted chocolate for good effect. Play as you would musical chairs, only whomever is left holding the dirty diaper when the music stops is out. Last one not holding the dirty diaper wins! Supplies: 1 diaper, partially melted chocolate, music.

4. Memory. Fill a tray with as many baby-related items as possible. Let guests study it for an allotted bit of time before covering and having guests write down as many items as they can remember. The person who remembers the most accurately wins! Supplies: 1 tray, various baby-related items, a blanket or towel to hide the items, paper, pens.

5. Guess the Chocolate. Select various chocolate bars to slightly melt and strategically place in diapers labeled by numbers or letters. Pass each diaper around to allow everyone to “study” (tasting is allowed!) and decide which kind of candy bar is in each one. The person who correctly identifies the most chocolate wins! Supplies: diapers, various chocolate bars (partially melted), papers, pens

6. Make A Baby. Hand everyone a cube of bubblegum (we used Bubblicious) or play dough with a paper plate to sculpt on with instructions to “make a baby” in an allotted amount of time. Display all finished “babies” on the paper plates with artists’ names written on the bottom. Let the mom-to-be decide which wins based on her own criteria. Supplies: bubble gum or play dough, paper plates, pens.

7. Pregnant For A Day. Place chairs in a large semi-circle and ask participants to have a seat. Hand each a balloon and, to those who do not have shoelaces, a 12″ string . Everyone must begin with their “laces” tied in a bow before racing to untie and remove their shoes, blow up their balloons (to a pre-agreed upon size) in order to place beneath their shirt like a pregnant belly — all before replacing their shoes and tying the laces in a bow. This all must be accomplished without any feet lifting from the ground or popping the balloon, grounds for disqualification! Supplies: chairs, balloons, string, scissors.

8. Suggestion Box. Shower attendees are invited to write words of wisdom, advice, encouragement, tricks and tips for the new mom-to-be. Our hostesses thoughtfully provided some pre-cut colorful index cards for us to write on and place in an adorable box which was hand decorated. (See photos for details.)

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