Starting the Registry Checklist

There are two evils in this pregnancy world: the Internet and experts.

The Internet: Evil by definition in the fact that you can't really believe all your read online, yet sometimes it is the only place that you can go to find what you need. This became especially true for me when I was pregnant, but had not yet told anyone, and then questions would arise. Who would I turn to? How would I figure out if I could eat feta and sliced turkey if I didn't have Google? Waiting 4 weeks for a doctor's appointment wouldn't always cut it, as it never fails that you think of all your questions immediately after an appointment, or that your symptoms take a sudden turn that next day!

Experts: Please do not misunderstand, and know that I do not intend any offense, but there are a WHOLE LOTTA EXPERTS (most on the Internet) on parenting out there. I truly do appreciate the words of wisdom from fellow parents, who have been there, who have learned by trial and error. I do have to keep in mind, however, that all people have different kids, and that what works for one may fail for another. So, take all advice with that proverbial grain of salt.

Despite knowing these truths, I still set myself up by posting on Facebook the question "What is the essential item for our baby registry?" I knew that I'd get varied opinions, links to reviews, perhaps arguments in my comment feed... However, I figured that I'd rather start with a narrower list of items than the giant cesspool that exists on the Internet. And each store may have its own version of an "essentials" checklist, but I feel that commercialization of babies is worse than that of weddings!

I do not regret it at all! I am really glad that I got to start with a list of parent recommendations that had already been tested. Then a lot of people actually offered us hand me downs, saving some time and money as well!

One of my essentials- the corner changing table! (Target.com)

As we began to build our registry, we still made our own choices, but we do thank you, the Internet, and you, the experts, for recommending some of the basics and making some decisions for us and saving us some time!

However, I still wish I could just register on Etsy.

An Etsy must! Anchor onesie