I thought I'd put together a quick post on things I've found really helpful as a mama since I know so many mama's to be {and also as a reminder for when baby #2 makes an appearance!} There are a few items that really came in handy after Lucy was born, but they are items you might not necessarily think of {I'm not going to list the obvious items like a crib, carseat, etc. because well, you people are smart ;)
-Bath sling. This thing is amazing. It's like a reclining lawn chair for babies....except for the bath. I like it because we don't have the storage for a big plastic baby tub, nor did I want one. This one fits in the kitchen sink, and also under the kitchen (or bathroom) sink for easy storage. You can get one for $7 instead of spending $30-40 on a baby tub.
-Waterproof pads from Target {they have little lambs on them}. These are super nice to have for diaper changes when you are out, and make it easy to change baby anywhere. I actually have a changing pad that came with my diaper bag but I still like to lay one of these on top of it so it doesn't get dirty. We also use these at home for quick changes on the bed, couch, etc. Lucy also likes to nurse side-lying so these are nice to lay under her. They are handy!
-Wet bag. I got mine here in juicy jungle. It's basically a zipper sealed bag with a waterproof inside so you can throw dirty clothes, cloth diapers, baby bottles, etc. in it and it's washable. We keep ours in Lucy's diaper bag and use it often and it's a good way to be green rather than using disposable zip lock bags. I think we're going to order another one, and I'd recommend the large size. I thought this would also make a unique and fun shower gift.
-Prefolds. I think I purchased chinese refolds {you can also buy indian refolds, the materials slightly differ but I've heard chinese last longer and are more absorbent}. These are typically used for cloth diapering, but we use them for burp cloths/feeding. They are nice because they are bigger and absorb a lot more than the skinny burp cloths you can buy at the store. Plus they are cheap. I got a pack of 50 for $12.
-Circo washcloths. I've found these are the softest washcloth for baby. I've tried other kinds and you can't beat these for the price. They are around $3 a pack at Target, but keep an eye on them-they go on sale often and I got them for $1 a pack. I always have some of these on hand, especially when feeding or bathing.
-Snap shirts. We call them Lucy's ninja shirts because she looks like a little ninja wearing them! These are nice because newborns hate having their clothes changed. They don't want to be naked and cold they want to be warm and snuggly! Well, at least for us-Lusy used to scream at diaper + clothing changes. The snap shirts are nice because they don't have to be pulled over the head and irritate your baby {and if there is a blowout they are easier to get on and off. Plus it keeps baby warm during the cold months. I would recommend the short sleeved ones even in the winter because under long sleeved jammies they can get bunched up underneath and baby can get too hot.
-Baby gowns. This one is similar to the ninja shirts. When baby is so small, they just want to be comfy, and while little people outfits look cute, they can be a hassle especially when baby doesn't like to be changed and can't sleep in little jeans and a cute sweater! I like these gowns because they gather at the bottom but don't have closures, so they make it really simple for frequent diaper changes. Also I'm not a big fan of zippered jammies. This is because the zipper only zips down one leg, leaving the opposite sort of hard to get out without waking baby for middle of the night changes. I like snap jammies because you can easily un-snap and change without having to wiggle their legs in and out. 
-This nursing bra. I had the hardest time deciding what bra to purchase because most of the places available to me did not have the quality of bra I was hoping for, so I needed to order online. Once I started looking I realized there are a million options and I was really overwhelmed. But I can say invest in a few good nursing bras because you will live in them! This one is super comfy, has easy access, and it's cute! I have two of them. I would also invest in a few good nightgowns. I never used to wear them-but it's annoying to nurse in the night wearing a t-shirt. Snap nightgowns are really convenient, and I found them more comfortable then zippered nightgowns. I have tried a bunch but I found my favorite are from walmart. I got desperate after searching many places and not being satisfied with the options {I swear I need to open a maternity/mama clothing store!} But they had nice cotton breathable gowns with snaps all the way down for like $9 a piece, and with baby spit up/feedings you'll need a few for throughout the week.
-This nursing shield. This is life-changing in the world of breastfeeding! Lucy had latch issues when my supply came in due to her low blood sugar issues after birth. She had to be fed from a bottle right away, so when my milk came in she had trouble latching {hospital bottles have pretty hard, rigid nipples} We were getting so frustrated until our wonderful lactation consultant brought us one of these babies. She latched on right away and nursed like a champ! Plus, it really helped protect and prevent some soreness. If we hadn't tried the shield I'm not sure where we'd be right now {and that makes me sad because I absolutely love breastfeeding, and would feel sad if someone had to forego it due to latch issues-so hopefully this will help someone out!}
I think that's it. The other thing I would suggest is getting a nice wallet to hold everything you need like this one. It's nice to be able to carry everything in one place and throw it in your diaper bag. Eventually I found that if I'm running somewhere quick I'll just throw a diaper and pacifier in my purse, but when the baby is born it's good to carry everything you might need at the drop of a hat, so this wallet is nice for when you need the whole she-bang diaper bag.
One last thing I would suggest is if you have a friend who is done having babies, ask them to lend some necessities. Things like bibs, socks & shoes you can never have enough of. Also bigger items like strollers & a baby bjorn are nice to borrow too because they are spendy. We are lucky to have access to all of these items from a friend for free and it's made a big difference for our pocketbook. We have barely purchased any necessities for Lucy {we haven't even purchased one box of diapers so far thanks to generous family & friends!} But friends always want to help and this is a good way if they are done with the items. Also don't be afraid to accept offers of help after the baby arrives. You'll treasure an hour away from the house to get some coffee or have a pedicure or just drive to target and listen to music. And never turn down an offer for a meal....it is sooooo helpful!
