Originally posted by Twisterdog
Well, really the only absolutely necessary things are a crib, highchair, stroller and car seat ... and lots and lots of diapers! The swings that you can wind up are nice, as are walkers and baby monitors/intercoms. But too much stuff is really a waste, IMO, as they grow so quickly that a lot of stuff you get at a shower never gets used. I personally hated getting clothes for my son - the majority of them were too small for him to ever wear, and not something I would ever put on him anyway. Fuzzy pajamas with feet in them are always nice, though. Receiving blankets and bibs are useful, too.

Actually the wind up swings are a PAIN...the battery operated ones are so much better and you don't have to rewind them every 20 minutes!