Baby Stuff

Here is our list of things we love and would buy again. 

Cloth Diapering:
I LOVE bum genius! If we aren't using bum genius, we use pampers and huggies (when traveling).   I think Bum Genius are better at containing mess than the disposables.  Aurora has worn BGs since she was 8 weeks old.  They come in sized and in one size.  I chose to go with smalls to cut down on the bulkiness of the one size diaper on such a small baby.  She used the smalls until she was 8 months old, then we bought some mediums and one size Bum Genius.  I also tried out a couple Gdiapers recently, but they don't contain mess as well and I won't buy any more.  If you are going to do cloth, but want as much modern convenience as possible, you want to pay a little extra and choose an AIO (all in one) or pocket diaper.  They are still cheaper in the long run than disposables.
Check out this website for diapering: http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1811

Locally I've bought diapers, toys and baby necessities online from:
http://www.liltulips.com/  (Stillwater, MN)
http://www.nickisdiapers.com/ (Wisconsin)
http://amzn.com/B002FB7FLY : these are great inserts for the cloth diapers (extra absorption for overnight).  Small fits small and large fits medium, large and one sized.  They hold up well and have good absorption.  Peapods carries these too (see end of post)

Laundry:
http://amzn.com/B003854RS0:  Planet Wise Wet Bag - great for used diapers, wet clothes, etc.  They are good at locking the smell in and keeping the wet contained.  I've been using mine for a year and love it!

Bedding:
http://amzn.com/B000BUQNXW: American Baby waterproof mattress pad - its soft and not crinkly.  We use American Baby jersey crib sheets too.
http://amzn.com/B000XPYXBY: American Baby waterproof burp pads.  I use the burp pads as changing pads.  They wash well.  I keep a few at the diaper changing station and in the diaper bag.
http://amzn.com/B000GEA1IG:  Crib Mattress.  Super light and easy to pick up.  I didn't realize the value of a foam mattress until it was 3am and I was lifting the mattress out of the crib by myself to change the sheets.

Big Items:
http://www.rei.com/product/798579: Bob Revolution Stroller.  This is the only stroller we have and we LOVE it.  It goes everywhere and over everything.  It has a smooth ride, folds up, all-terrain, holds lots of shopping bags - plus you can buy a car seat adapter so you can put the car seat in it.  Oh yeah, Katie loves riding in the bottom of it.  :) 
http://www.albeebaby.com/chicco-keyfit-30-infant-car-seat-miro.html:  Chicco Car Seat.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!  You just set it in its base and it snaps in.  It has a magnetic guide to help it go right into position.  It is highly rated and fits babies 4-30lbs.  Aurora will outgrow it in length soon, but we've gotten over a year of use with it.  I'll be sad to see it go.
http://amzn.com/B0018Z6910:  Fisher Price Cradle Swing.  We used this non-stop the first month of Aurora's life.  We bought it for half price on Craig's..  Any swing is probably good as long as it doesn't shut off after a set amount of time (in my opinion). 
http://www.armsreach.com/shop-3/the-original-1/: Arm's Reach Co-sleeper.  We don't have this, but I want to get it for our next baby. 
http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-marathon-70-car-seat-cowmooflage.html  Britax Marathon 70 Car Seat.  Just bought this for when Aurora grows out of her infant car seat.  You can use this car seat from 5-70 pounds and Britax is the top of line for convertible car seats.  The draw back as far as using it as an infant car seat is that it isn't easily removable.  It is pretty much stationary in your car.

Toys:
http://amzn.com/B000IDSLOG: meet Sophie!!  :)  you might want to put her on the registry - for some reason, every baby I know loves this over-priced toy
http://amzn.com/B000WOV7WO:  Chicco Walker.  Bought it for $30 on Craig's list.  Works great, easy to clean, Aurora loves it.
http://amzn.com/B000067K0L:  Tiny Love Super Deluxe Lights and Music Gymini Activity Gym.  Bought this for $15 on Craig's.  It is SO overpriced brand new for what you get.  Aurora is starting to out grow it now, but she really liked it this past year.
http://amzn.com/B000YDDF6O:  Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes.  Aurora liked it right away and still does.
http://amzn.com/B001AG0YL8:  Boogin' Pacifier Clip.  Aurora never took to a pacifier, but we use this to clip toys on her so she doesn't drop them.  I love the fabrics they have and they work great.  We have two.
http://amzn.com/B0038B9GG2: V Tech 3-in-1 Learning Zebra Scooter.  Aurora got this for her 1st birthday - she loves it

Nursing:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Deluxe-Pillow/dp/B0012OV1NI/ref=br_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2YO2039P7ZVND&colid=2QHG4B0OAE31N: I have a Boppy that I use, but my lactation consultant reccomended that I use a My Breast Friend pillow.  I didn't get one, but wish I would have and plan to buy one for baby #2.  
--Lansinoh Breast Cream -- life saver!

Clothes for Mama:
http://www.liltulips.com/Undercover-Mama-Nursing-Shirt-Bra_p_1677.html - Nursing Top - they also sell it at Amazon.  I just discovered it a few months ago and love it.  I hope to acquire one in every color for the next baby.
--Nordstrom's does bra fittings.  I've gone there many times in my quest to find a good nursing bra.  That is where I found this bra.

Clothes for Baby:
http://amzn.com/B0006B4BVM:  Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe.  Life saver!  Its 2am and the newborn baby is screaming.  You haven't slept in days and you aren't even sure what year it is anymore...do you really have the energy and clarity of mind to get your baby swaddled up in an old square blanket that you can get wrapped so tightly it won't come undone????  This is swaddling made easy.  They come in microfleece for the cold months and cotton for the warm months. 
http://www.babyongrand.com/node/1415: this is where I bought Aurora's pink polka dot Bambino Mio swim diaper -  I've only used it a few times, but so far I like it.

Meal Time:
http://amzn.com/B000WEHO8K: Boon Snack Ball.  I like that it is small, holds cheerios, goldfish, etc, the lid is attached so you won't lose it, and it is easy enough for one-handed operation while you're pushing the grocery cart with the other hand.  I have two.
http://amzn.com/B0007ORN7M:  Bumbo!  We bought the tray that attaches and we still use it as a high chair....Aurora is able to crawl out of it now, so I should get to shopping for a high chair so she'll be safer.  We've gotten a ton of use out of this.  She was able to use it as soon as she could hold her head up.

Baby Stores in St Paul:
http://peapods.com
http://www.babyongrand.com/

There is one thing we have I don't like.  Our Diaper Genie.  We bought the Diaper Genie 2 on Craig's brand new for half price.  I think I'd be much happier with a different model, but this model involves pushing the diaper or wipes through a squeeze hole and if it is messy...its really messy and gets all over your hands.  We only use ours for wipes now since we use cloth diapers, so it isn't a huge issue.  But, if I was going to use it a lot, I would get a different model like the earlier models that you just set the diaper in and then twist the lid to make the diaper fall through.

Check out Happiest Baby on the Block - great DVD (or book)!