registry must haves...diaper bag & what to put in it!

i have 2 diaper bags, and i like each for different reasons.  this is a very personal choice, and although i like both, i don't think either is "perfect."  here is what i have and i will tell you why i like and dislike each one.

skip hop messenger style diaper bag:

likes:
~jarad can use it without feeling too "girly"
~plenty of pockets
~love the 2 front pockets (especially for easy access to my cell phone)
~love the handle on top
~great price (it retails for about $50-$60 in a current pattern, but this is an old season, so i found it for $25 at tj maxx)
~good quality

dislikes:
~it is a medium sized bag and tends to be narrow
~messenger style.  i thought i would like this, and i'm not unhappy with it, but sometimes it can get in the way, especially when carrying the car seat

petunia pickle bottom boxy backpack diaper bag:

likes:
~it's a backpack and messenger bag
~the material is laminate, so it can be easily wiped down
~cute and fun patterns
~good quality
~lots of pockets on the inside
~built in diaper changing pad
~magnetic closure


dislikes:
~price!  these rang from $140 (on clearance in this style) -$190
~the shape of the backpack makes it feel like it is falling backwards, not comfortable
~i feel like it needs a handle on top
~like the skip hop one it tends to be narrow


i have found there is not a perfect diaper bag for me, at least not yet.  i go between both of these and i may end up trying this style next.

$71.99 petunia pickle bottom on steals.com

but this will also become your purse so make sure you like it and will be comfortable using it all the time!

what to pack in your bag:

~change of clothes (and if you have room at least a change of shirt for you as well)
~4 extra diapers
~baby wipes
~diaper cream
~swaddle blanket (this can be used as a blanket, nursing cover up, burp rag and car seat canopy)
~plastic grocery bags (for messy clothes and soiled diapers)
~extra pacifier
~mini hand sanitizer
~snacks (for yourself or your baby if they are older)

***this doubles as my purse now, so i also carry my wallet, keys, cell phone, sunglasses and of course EOS chap stick!***

here are some other diaper related items you will want to include on your registry:

diapers!  this is a hard one, because depending on how big and how fast they grow you will not know how many diapers to get in a newborn size.  for bowie we had her in newborn diapers until about 3.5 weeks old.

diaper genie!  if you are using diapers, you will want this!  if baby is breast fed the diapers shouldn't be too stinky, but it is a good way to throw them away with no smell. make sure to get extra refills as well!

on sale for around $30, refills are $20 for pack of 3

wipe warmer!  this is nice for chilly weather in the pacific north west.  bowie appreciates it!

$18.99 on amazon for munchkin brand

diaper cream! we use good old A&D and boudreaux's butt paste

$16 a tub

baby wipes!  we get a big box from costco!  you will use these for everything!

$20 for box of 900