Grab and Go

I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, I went to the baby store armed with the ideal fantasy of a smiling, gurgling, sweet smelling baby. As I went up and down the aisles, reality smacked me in the face. All the equipment, supplies and general paraphernalia associated with raising junior overwhelmed me. I thought, “How will I ever know what I need with so many selections?” I think this is a cruel test that these stores put you through. Its like a new season of the TV show  “Survivor: Pregnant Island”! I wanted immunity from making these decisions. What if I bought the wrong baby swing or worse yet, what if I didn’t buy a necessary piece of equipment? Would my baby be damaged for life? Was I already a bad mother?

One important piece of baby equipment is the diaper bag. Now I knew that this was important and I thought, okay, this should be an easy one, right? So armed with my newly mustered confidence, I hit the diaper bag zone. I rounded the corner and WHAM, the reality train wreck hit. The display is floor to ceiling traversing nearly an entire wall of the store. Okay, I can do this. Turning my hat backwards and taking a deep breath, I went in.  I found backpacks, slings, messengers and the traditional tote. Did you know that you can spend $300 on a diaper bag? They have classifications such as mini, clutch, hobo and carry all. Seems synonymous with the handbags at the department stores. I think that’s for Moms in denial. They can say, no this isn’t a diaper bag it’s my clutch. Did you know that you can spend $300 on a diaper bag? They are made from some strange patterns and fabrics. Some notable selections are camouflage, I think that’s for when you need to hide while changing your baby in public, you know the whole urban jungle analogy. Another is suede or satin brocade. Not sure that you want these materials anywhere near pee or poop but that’s just my personal opinion. I saw bags with college logos. Would that be my alma mater or where I hope to send my offspring? You know, it’s never too soon to think about college. Did I mention that you can spend $300 on a diaper bag? The last thing that surprised me was Daddy bags. Is that like his and hers towels? Should that be included in the bridal registry or wait for the baby one? I think the assumption is that these bags are more rugged. I couldn’t find any clutches for Dads. I think I may have hit on a new item. Is Daddy responsible for packing the Daddy bag or does Mommy pack the Daddy bag and the Mommy bag? I’m confused.  Look, I’m going to be blunt. If he made the kid, the least he can do is carry the diaper bag whether it’s pink or has kids characters or whatever! 

Now, I think this is one of those aspects of life where size matters. It may be a twisted competition between moms. My diaper bag is bigger than your diaper bag. I’m more prepared then you are. I get that when you are a first time mom you don’t know what to bring or what to be prepared for, so you bring everything! Some bags are so big I wonder what is in them? Are you planning to stay at the mall for a few days? They don’t fit in the stroller so they hang precariously over the handle threatening to topple the whole thing over if you dare to let go.

It’s a happy day when you can finally scale that down a bit as your child gets older and you no longer need to bring half the kitchen and a third of his closet with you. Since we are always on the go, I have found it less stressful to have a bag perpetually packed, I call it my grab and go bag. Here’s what I keep in it:

            A small holder for wipes

            2 diapers

            Travel size powder

            A zip plastic sandwich bag with a disposable bib, toddler utensils, a bendy   straw (I never go anywhere without a bendy straw.)

Another zip plastic sandwich bag with crackers or cookies.

A few packs of individually wrapped antiseptic wipes.

A couple band aids.

An extra pacifier.

A juice box or the individual powder packs that you can add to a water bottle. (Then I use the bendy straw, get it?) or 1 of the small disposable sippy cups.

A couple of small toys and books.

A coloring book and crayons.  

I keep it near the door so that when we are ready to go, I toss in a full sippy cup and grab the bag and go. We’re automatically ready for the doctor’s office, a restaurant, shopping, whatever. Oh, and its not camouflage, not Daddy’s and didn’t cost $300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!