The Moby Wrap
No matter where I go, this one always stops traffic. Sure, it might look extravagant, but at $34.99 for the basic model, you really can't go wrong with this one. And trust me, it has been a major lifesaver. Baby sleeps in it for hours and you will be free to USE YOUR HANDS! Added bonus is that it is soft on both your and baby's skin and goes from birth to 35 pounds.
Graco Metrolite LE
Unless you have multiples, there is no need for a huge and bulky stroller. Trust me on this one. We did tons of research and this one is perfect for everyday and still fits that "everyday" budget.
Rubber wheels, huge basket and light-weight mean easy transporting in and out of car for trips to the mall or a quick walk around the block.
Dr. Brown's Natural Flow bottles
Okay-so they look fancy and complicated and they might be a tad bit more expensive than the other kind, but these things WORK. If your baby has no problems with gassiness, fussiness, or colic, then you can take a pass. But if any of those problems exist for baby, these bottles will become your lifesaver. Just make sure you DON'T shake the formula in the bottles (STIR it or you defeat the entire purpose!), and clean all the parts. Baby is happier and life gets easier for everyone.
The best baby monitor EVER!
The Evenflo Whisper Connect 900Mhz 2-Way Nursery Monitor is honestly the only monitor you will ever need. You get two handsets for listening in on baby and with each, you also get the ability to use it like a walkie-talkie! One button talk to baby and the other talks to the other receiver on a different channel so you don't disturb baby.
Makes it a breeze to coordinate who gets to handle the next diaper change.
The Bob
This is the ultimate off-roading stroller. No, I don't jog, but I do walk for miles at a time and this bad boy can take it without waking baby--thanks to rear shocks. You know the stroller has some serious you-know-whats when it is your husband who says he wants to buy it. Yes, it is pricey, but considering it will hold junior past 65 pounds, you know you're going to get your money's worth.
Family and Friend HELP!
If you have support nearby, ask for your family and friends to help out. You will need it. Don't think that supermom instincts are enough to survive lack of sleep and fuzzy brains. Can someone come by and take care of baby so you can grab a few ZZZZ's? Wonderful....if not? Hire a FREAKIN' BABY-SITTER!
A good unisex diaper bag
Unless your man doesn't care if he is carrying a bag pink enough to make Barbie and Skipper gag, then you need to look for a good unisex version that you can "girl" up with a few accessories, if you must. The plus side is that you get to re-use the bag for any more babies down the road.
A nice glider for your home/nursery
Make sure the chair is the right height for the tallest person in the home so everyone can sit in it confortably. And please, for your own sanity and comfort, spring for the matching ottoman.
The Boppy Pillow
This isn't just for breastfeeding moms. This pillow is great for propping up baby and giving you a comfy place to rest your arms for those middle of the night feedings. Extra bonus is that you can use the pillow for baby as they grow for help sitting up and for tummy time.
iHome2go and iPod
Forget the baby mp3's on the market that connect to baby's crib. If you already have your own iPod, then just buy one of these and play baby's sleepy-time music at night while your iPod charges.
OnMyList
List your pants off!