pregnancy: an inundation of STUFF.

Before I got pregnant, I was already well aware of this phenomenon, but as the weeks go on, I'm experiencing it on a whole new level. Preparing to bring a tiny human into your life means being overwhelmed by tons and tons of STUFF.

I don't mean just any vague definition of "stuff." I mean STUFF. Clothes, bibs, toys, books, cribs, car seats, strollers, slings, bassinets, pack-n-plays, high chairs, swings, yada yada yada...Babies bring with them so. much. STUFF.

It's still pretty early--I'm 13 weeks pregnant today--and I would say we haven't accumulated that much stuff yet, in the scheme of things. Which scares me a little, because we already have quite a bit. Between the generosity of others who have had babies before me (thank you--I will take ALL YOUR FREE STUFFS), the here-and-there purchasing of things by myself and Mr. Epic (no early pregnancy superstition here), and MY MOM (a can of worms to revisit later), this kid is going to have more than he/she could ever need or want.

This isn't even everything we've gotten already...

Don't get me wrong--I feel pretty at peace about the philosophical issues surrounding baby STUFF. I know you don't need everything the big chain baby stores claim you do. I know companies are trying to get my money by convincing me that if I were a good mommy, I'd buy all their products. But at the same time, I don't feel like I need to rebel against them or stick it to the baby-wares-hawking-man by raising my child wrapped in scraps of fabric, eating baby food made only from vegetables I grew (not likely with my NOT green thumb), playing with dirt and rocks and handmade toys. (More power to anyone who does this--we all do what works for us, right?) Anyway, I feel like I approach the STUFF issue with a balanced perspective. Get what I think I'll need, forgo what I don't think I'll need, play the rest by ear when the time comes. Surf mom blogs and Pinterest for suggestions, but temper with my own judgement.

Still, in spite all that, it can be a little overwhelming. I feel like deciding on the right car seat/stroller combo is a life-or-death decision...which, I guess car seats can be, so...ya know. My eyes cross and my head swims when I try to distinguish between the row of pack-n-plays at the baby store--how do you decide between 50 choices of items that all do the same thing?

So, I guess the idea of the stuff doesn't bother me so much, and I feel confident I won't overdo it, but the decision-making is kind of annoying for someone who is as wishy-washy at making decisions as me. Oh, well. First world problems, right?

How did you decide on your big baby purchases? What was necessary for you? What did you decide to skip?