I should be a Boy Scout!

It's been a long while since I wrote a post, aside from my weekly pregnancy updates, but I've actually had some time to sit down today and write.

I've decided that I should have joined the Boy Scouts as a child.  Their motto is "Always Be Prepared" and I LOVE being prepared.  I love making lists.  I love arranging and rearranging things.  I love knowing everything is in place well before it needs to be.

This has particularly occurred to me today when I realised that I'm not even halfway through my pregnancy, yet we have a hell of a lot of stuff already!  We have all the big stuff and a lot of bits and bobs as well, the only thing we're not really finished with is clothes and we will need to get more nappies etc. as we go but I'm running out of space until we have the nursery decorated and set up to put everything in.

So today I got everything together (as it's been sitting all around the house in various bags and boxes) and put it all out on the bed to take stock:

Here we have all our "bits and bobs".  There's a bouncer, breastfeeding pillow, bedding, blankets, bottles, various brands of nappies, baby wipes, other toiletries, a baby carrier, bibs, muslins and an array of clothes.  

I made a checklist of all the things we need, ticked off everything on here and we seem to be well over halfway.  We also have the big stuff such as cot, mattress, Moses basket, furniture, pushchair and car seat - but they are all being stored at my grandparents' house at the moment until we have the nursery decorated.

I feel SO much better for having a comprehensive list of everything and now we can just buy a couple of bits each week to tick off, ready for baby's arrival.  

What were your essentials when you had your baby?  Was there anything you bought that you never used or found to be a waste of money?  What about things you didn't buy beforehand but then rushed out to get later on?

PS:  I will be reviewing some of these items - such as the Cleva Cushion and the baby carrier once they are in use, but you'll have to wait until November for that!