Author: Ashley Herman

You know those books and reports that come out every year telling you how to save money and get the best gear for your baby and kids? Well, because I love you all so much, I'm going to share with you ? totally free ? my list of must-have Items for every parent. You can thank me in chocolate.
1. A baby: You have several options here. There's the old-fashioned fun way, of course. You can modify that way with charts and thermometers and mucus logs, though those seem less fun. You can turn to medical professionals for help, unless your OB looks like Abe Vigoda, in which case it?s best to have him (or her) just do the injections, in vitro, and/or surrogate stuff. There?s also adoption, both open and closed, local or import. Last resort is kidnapping, but I really don?t condone that method. What?s really important is that you find the best way for you and your family to get a baby added to the tree.
2. A way to feed the baby: You can breastfeed or give formula, or both. I am not here to dictate what you do with your body or your child. There are plenty of other places in the Googleverse to learn about the pros and cons of both. But no matter what you choose, you are very likely going to need a bottle at some point. Do those handblown-glass "most like the breast" bottles seem like the only reasonable choice? Like the ease of the bottles with the baggies? Have a bumblebee theme going on and only want the bottles that coordinate with your crib bedding, travel system, diaper bag, and wardrobe? Your baby is going to refuse whatever nipples fit the bottle you have chosen. Your child will refuse it with such a tiny fury and will insist on drinking only from Waterford Crystal champagne flutes. As hard as it is, resist the urge to buy. Borrow from a trusted friend until you can figure out what your baby's preference is. Use the money you saved here on more important stuff, like bail or fine crystal.
3. A place for baby to sleep: If you buy that heirloom-quality lifetime bed, your baby will want to sleep in a dresser drawer. Choose to co-sleep, and your little one will only sleep in gravity boots, vampire style. Bassinet for every floor of your house? Your baby will have reflux and only sleep upright in a carrier of some sort. So go ahead and splurge here if you have some cash on hand or a really pushy interior decorator. Otherwise, buy on the budget end, and keep a drawer empty, just in case.
4. Something to catch excretions: Babies ooze from all over the place. You?re going to need a good stock of burp cloths, bibs, and hankies, even though you will most often just use your shirt, because who wants to do more laundry? And after your 40th diaper blowout, you'll spend those insomniac moments trolling the Internet for help with elimination communication. I mean, if women in China can toilet train their infants, why can't you? Well go ahead, if that's your thing, but I find 3 a.m. is not usually a good time for making important decisions.
5. A means to transport baby: Unless you rely solely on public transportation or never, ever leave your home, you'll need a car seat. I personally don't like the baby bucket?type things because I?m too lazy to tote one of those around. And I'm too cheap to buy two car seats when one will work. But I sure would like to have one to snap into the grocery cart or high chair next time I venture into public. The nice thing about baby-wearing is that I can keep strangers' hands off my baby, even if I have to hear, "They didn?t have those in my day," a million times a week. So here you have to decide how important extras like air bags and cup holders are for you. I bet if you ask Dr. Google, she'll even point you toward some useful sites that help you choose seats that fit your car make and model best, but you have to say, "Please."
6. Flexibility: If you haven't guessed by now, babies can be pretty unpredictable. I'm fairly sure Murphy had a special subsection of that pesky law dedicated just to people under 4 feet tall. They are their own little humans with their own little preferences. No matter how much you really, really, really want them to love all the things that you love, sometimes they just don't. And you just can't rationalize with a newborn. Trust me, I've tried. Surprisingly, a person that fits into your hand has incredible willpower that can cut through all your determination. At some point, you will find yourself staunchly defending opposing sides of an argument that takes place entirely in your head, but you are convinced is also some sort of psychic communique from your preverbal infant. It's OK to surrender a little.
7. A sense of humor: This one's free but quite possibly the most important child-rearing tool in your arsenal. Sometimes it's all you've got. And if it fails, at least you?ve saved all this extra money to pay for therapy. Or wine.

Author: Ashley (00tedsgirl) from TriadMommies.com Original Post Location and Date: http://triadmommies.blogspot.com/2011/1

Our sister chapter, LakeNormanMommies lost a beloved member of their community Sunday evening unexpectedly. Lara Baum (lara265) was a jewel that was cherished among her friends and family. The TMN sisters of CentralfoothillsMommies wanted to send a blog note of love to our fellow sisters of LakeNormanMommies and reach out to give you a huge virtual hug from all of us here.

Many of our mommies have inquired as to how they can best support Lara's family during this difficult time.
Sadly, Lara's family can not afford to pay for her cremation. The hospital will cremate her for free, but will not return the ashes to the family. We are hoping to collect enough contributions from our friends and family to cover the cost of cremation so that Lara can go home with her family. The cost is approximately $1500. If you'd like to contribute, and I hope you will, you can PayPal a donation to Timara Trenkamp Bolding at timara.bolding@adelphia.net or mail or drop off a check to either of us. If we receive more in donations than the cost of the cremation, we'll put the remaining funds into a savings bond for her two young children.

I ask that if you have even a dollar that you can donate, please do it.  Donations will not be tax deductible, but will be greatly appreciated by many.