Things I've Learned in the Past Two Months

I love lists, so here's one about things I've learned to make our lives smoother... and things I've learned to just let go!

• The Velcro swaddler is a gift from God.
• Keeping a wet washcloth on baby's tummy keeps her warm and happy during baths.
• Have multiples of everything fabric: bed sheets, playpen sheets, Boppy covers. Otherwise, baby is bound to barf, pee, poop, or do a combo on your only clean one. Plus, you won't have to do unexpected loads of laundry. I only do Evelyn's laundry once a week.
• Don't bother with clothes that are "newborn" size, because baby will grow out of them quickly. Start with 0-3 month clothes instead.
• Keep the tags and receipts for clothing you receive as gifts, and return them if needed. Evelyn received so many outfits, there were a few she never got to wear. (See above.)
• If you want to use a pacifier but your baby doesn't take to it, it's probably just the shape. Try a different brand. (Better yet, register for newborn sizes in a few different brands.)
• Keep binkies on every floor of your house, and keep them in the same spot when not in use. The moment you REALLY need one, you don't want to be searching all over!
• Get baby socks with longer cuffs. The cute bitty ones never stay on.
• Footed sleepers with little bear feet or other cute patterned features means more seams on the inside, rubbing little feet. Putting socks on underneath help. (And see above.)
• Evelyn is indifferent to mobiles, but loves to look at faces. The mirror strapped to the side of her crib keeps her well entertained.
• Get your man a really cool diaper bag and you'll never have to lug one anound yourself.
• A jumbo box of wipes will last months. A jumbo box of diapers will last a week. (So don't bother buying anything BUT the jumbo box of diapers.)
• Diaper "blow-outs" happen. The first time, it's the most disgusting thing ever. Then, you find you don't even think anything of scraping poop out of onsies.
• Buying darker clothes hides a multitude of stains. (See above.)
• Clothes that are stained beyond salvage are fine for sleepwear, especially if the staining activity tends to happen around the same time every day... at least you know what you're in for.
• Take all the time you want with your baby. Let her sleep on you the entire duration between feedings. Ignore the laundry in favor of admiring her tiny eyelashes and toenails. Spend an entire day barely moving from the spot where you feed her and hold her and feed her again. Soak it up. It goes by faster than you think. And you finally begin to understand--truly understand--all the people who told you that you don't get this time back.