What does a baby really need?

Well I find myself blessed with my fourth babe. He's due to make his first appearance in September.

My third is now five years old and I have spent the last couple years of getting rid of everything baby related. I gave bags and bags of items away. Now I have a baby on the way and I have to ask myself the question: "What does a baby really need?"

With my first child I had way too much. I didn't use most of what I got. The crib became a very expensive diaper changing station. The expensive stroller was used less than the $40 baby sling. The high end high chair was cute but it really cluttered up the kitchen. The $20 bouncy seat was a life saver.

I got so many hand me downs when I had my daughter that she had an outfit for everyday. I didn't really buy anything except a double stroller. The $40 sling got some more use, so did the bouncy seat.

By the time the third came around I had learned my lesson. There is just too much plastic already in existence that buying something new seems wrong. I had given away the bouncy seat but it found it's way back to me. The sling was looking a little faded but it was still put to good use. I only kept the clothes that I really liked. Liam wore these cute Robeez monkey shoes for the first two years of his life.

Now I need to make a list for my fourth. I'll have have to think about it. I have to go into the basement and see if I can patch up that old sling enough to at least use it around the house. That sling is now 10 years old-what a great investment.