Navigating the baby registry world

Oh, my goodness! Are there not an infinite number of things a baby "needs" to survive? Based on what we've seen on the web and in stores, it seems like we are going to have increase our home's contents four-fold just to take care of a child slightly bigger than a sack of potatoes. Cribs - crib sheets - blankets - changing tables - diapers - wipes - toiletries - diaper genies - bottles - nipples - bottle warmers - onesies - footed pajamas - shirts - pants - socks - plain towels - hooded towels - washcloths - bassinets - play yards - high chairs - nursing pillows - boppies - the list goes on and on. We understand that the baby needs to sleep, eat, and poo, so we hope to accumulate enough "things" to take care of those needs.

I have joked that, if we don't get a bassinet, the baby can sleep in a laundry tub, or some similar vessel that could keep the baby tucked in safe and sound. Now, before you send social services for a visit before the baby's even born, keep in mind that we've already been loaned a bassinet and we have an offer for a beautiful loaner crib (VERY lightly used). Babies' needs are quite basic, but parents have gotten used to all kinds of neat luxuries that can really clutter up a small home. And our house is SMALL.

Recognizing that babies grow out of things so quickly, we are overjoyed to accept hand-me-downs. If we don't acquire all of the latest and fanciest gadgets, we hope some good, old fashioned L-O-V-E will help Pistachio feel like s/he not lacking anything. After all, isn't LOVE the greatest gift?

It's a... !

We have elected to keep our baby's gender a secrect, even to us. Fortunately, our home's decor and the room we'll be using as a nursery will blend well with neutrally-colored baby "stuff." Spring green walls with butter yellow trim already adorn the nursery, accented by light blue, green, and yellow plaid window treatments. I've been told that other people want to know the baby's sex so they can purchase the appropriately colored clothing. Your guess is as good as ours at this point (although the OVERWHELMING majority of people think the baby will be a BOY), so we think green, yellow, and tan colors are a safe bet right now. Plus, those are cool colors, anyway.