Baby Wear

We’re getting out and about and on-the-go with baby again, and it feels good.

Before Some Boy was born, I was determined to get as many versatile products as possible. We have a tiny apartment and don’t have room for toys and learning aids made for every single stage of babyhood. I hunted down brands that cater to the packed household and read up on all the 3-in-1, multi-age adaptable things I could possibly find. There’s the baby seat/high chair/swing, expandable cloth diapers, a crib/playpen/room divider and the teething ring/skate shoe/football pad (okay, that doesn’t actually exist…but it should).

A ridiculously high number of my friends have been having babies recently, so I’ve been spending a lot of time browsing baby stores for the obligatory gender-neutral onesie. Some parents do find out their baby’s sex beforehand, but I still like to go with yellows and greens just in case. I have heard a number of horror stories where the couple was expecting a girl and then it’s like, "Whoops, looks like that thing in the ultrasound wasn’t a foot after all!" Plus, I don’t see why girls have to wear pink and boys have to wear blue. Let’s mix it up a little.

I love baby wraps. After Some Boy came out all colicky, I soon discovered that the best way to soothe a fussy baby is to strap them onto your chest and just go about your business. Nine months in the womb has made them especially partial to being snuggled up against mom, and the natural movement of your body is the greatest comfort to them.

I’ll admit that I have a lot of stuff. A lot of bags, specifically. I’m a bag lady. There are my bags for days spent at conferences. On-the-go purses. All-day diaper bags. Satchels. Backpacks. Camera bags. Roller suitcases. Guitar slings.