registry must haves...nursery & bedding!

the nursery is a fun one to decorate!  here is what i think you will need...

a crib and changing table.  i am using a hand me down one from my aunt, and had the best intentions to re-do it with chalk paint, but never got around to it.  but i am happy with the natural wood color and probably will leave it as is.  i have a matching changing table, but a lot of my friends just get the changing pad and put it on top of a dresser and that works just as well.  the crib is a big expense, so you may want to consider one that turns into a full size bed in the future.  if you do, i suggest registering for the kit to extend it at the same time, because they can be hard to find down the road.

crib mattress & changing pad mattress.  this is one i would not get a baby store, but try amazon!  they have a bigger selection and for about half the cost.  i got a changing pad for around $20 and a crib mattress for around $60.  this is at least half the cost of what it would be at buy buy baby.

crib sheets!  you should pick at least 2-3 crib sheets andliners.  sheets run anywhere from $10-$18 for one and i got a 2 pack of water proof liners for $30.

changing pad cover!  this will fit over your changing pad and act like a sheet.  they run about $20

changing pad liners!  this is one that you will need a lot of.  i would recommend at least 2 packs.  i got the boppy brand, and it runs $15 for a pack of 3.  this is a oval shaped water proof liner that lays over your changing pad cover, so you don't have to wash the cover a million times a day.  these take a beating with poop, pee and spit up.  i am constantly washing them and putting clean ones on.  you can not have enough!

mesh bumper!  they do not recommend a padded decorative bumper in the baby's crib.  it can increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation (this goes for stuffed animals and blankets in the crib as well).  bowie is not yet sleeping in her crib, so the pic you see is strictly for decoration right now.  they have breathable mesh ones that come in different colors.  you can see i have a white one on my crib.  they run about $20-$30

pack n play!!!  this is another great one!  i will probably put this in our bedroom soon so she can get used to sleeping on her back before we transition her to her crib.  it is a portable crib  that comes with some cool attachments.  the one we have has a changing table and a vibrating chair that bowie currently sleeps in at night,  this is also great if you have a two story house.  we have the pack in play set up downstairs so we can use the changing table downstairs instead of going up to the nursery each time she needs to be changed.  the one we have is on the pricey side, but you can get a basic model for about half the cost.  i would also recommend getting a set of pack n play sheet for the mattress, they cost about $10

graco pack n play costs $220

muslin swaddle blankets!  these seem to be a favorite gift for people to give.  they are great for swaddling (although we used old fashioned receiving blankets until she was a bit bigger), burp cloths, car seat canopies and nursing covers.  they are light weight and breathable.  they come in so many beautiful and fun patterns and you should have at least a pack of 4.

aden + anais brand 4 pack for $35