An Earth-Friendly, American-Made Baby Registry- Just the Links- Pregnancy, Delivery, and the 4th Trimester

This is the short and fast version of  Part One of the Earth-Friendly and American-Made Baby Registry. Check out the long versions to get my take and the other link pages to switch over your registry!

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while you are prego 

Belly Band- Used or Belevation
Other Options- My Bella Mama

Belly Care-Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter and Mother's Special Blend
Other Options-  Bobbie's Belly and Body Balm, Best Nest Wellness, Nine Naturals, Midwife and Mum Belly Butter, Baby Belly Bar, Green Earth Naturals, Empire Squid, Wandering Mom Shop, and Earth Wise Skincare Co

Body Pillows-Neodesigner
Other Options- Leachco, Coop Home Goods, SnugglePedic, Relax Home Life, Five Diamond Collection, and Millas World.

Ginger Pops- Tummy Drops
Other Options- Preggie Pops

Support Band-Gabrialla
Other Options- Bao Bei Maternity (for sports), Underworks, or Alpha Medical

Clothes (one pair of maternity jeans, 2-3 casual dresses, 1 formal dress, tank tops, 4-5 tops, Shapewear)- Used or A Pea in the Pod Made in USA filter
Other Options- Motherhood Maternity,  Pink Blush Maternity, Etsy, Bun Maternity. Majamas, Some Ingrid and Isobel, Rachel Pally, Modcloth made in USA maxi dresses, Belevation

Nursing Bras-Bella Materna
Other Options- Belly Bandit

Workout DVDs- Summer Sanders

what to bring to the hospital

A Going Home Outfit- Jolie and June
Other Options-Monroe's House, Ginger Lous, Little Beans, Baby Nell, Gigi and Max, The Southern Closet 101, and Maine Girl Creations

Swaddle Blanket- Snug Bug muslin blanket

Toiletry Bag, Shower Bag, Makeup Bag- Gracie Designs
Other Options-  Bliss Joy Bull,  Jack and Mulligan, Dana Herbert, The Club Bag, Purifyou reusable mesh bags, and Needle and Oak

Shampoo and Conditioner Bottles-Moyo Natural Labs
Other Options- GoToob

Toothbrush- Preserve
Other Options- bamboo toothbrush

Moisturizer and Face Wash- Avalon Organics and Aveeno

Socks- Solmate Socks
Other Options- - For Bare Feet, Wheelhouse, Sockwell , Mad Sports Socks and World's Softest

fourth trimester

Nursing Pads- Love your Reusables and Marley's Monsters
Other Options- NuAngel, Baby Kicks, Loveybums, Baby Greeters, Prarie Love Organic, Soft and Scrubby, and Greening Boutique.

Nursing Pajamas- Majamas

Nursing Tanks- Bella Materna
Other Options- Shop Pretty Girl, Preggers Maternity

Postpartum Wrap- Belly Bandits
Other Options- Bellefit

Sanitary Pads and Panty Liners- Organyc
Other Options-  Natratouch, Seventh Generation, Veeda

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Throwback Thursday- 10 Perfect First Birthday Gifts

 One of the unexpected things about having a baby is that you end up with a gaggle of baby friends. This turns out to save your sanity, but for the first time ever, we are looking down the barrel of a first birthday party season. My niece will turn one at the end of the month, so we are starting to look for her as well. The first of the birthday parties is in a few weeks (and they last until into December), but unlike wedding season, we are not seasoned vets.

 We don't know what we are doing! Having a baby only sort of helps!

For first birthdays before, I think we got the babies clothes? Probably niceish clothes because I figured that it's easier to splurge if you aren't responsible for the whole wardrobe. I know I bought my niece Aubrey a purple tutu which she preferred to wear on her head (in my defense, that's some damn foresight, because she woulud love it as a kindergartener)! Now as a parent, I have some ideas of what might make good gifts (most of which we own, so I can vouch for them).

Replay from Amazon

1. Eating Tools, Snack Storage, and Sippy Cups- Toys make great or at least cute presents, but as a mom, I now live in fear of them taking over our house. I feel like if the first birthday party truly celebrates the survival of the parents, help them continue to survive by buying actually useful things while the baby is too small to care anyway. These little ones will quickly grow out of their veggie mush and baby bottles, so getting the next phase of eating stuff could be fun and helpful! It may not seem like a fun gift, but the Bub carried around a spoon for two+ hours today, so he would tell you differently. Sometimes these simple gifts which are useful to the parent can be the most interesting to a curious little one year old.

Green Eats sells all recycled, Made in the USA silverware set that we already use all the time with our adventurous eater. The spoons are my favorite. They also makes all kinds of bright, affordable, and earth-friendly plates and bowls.

I think Re-play has the best selection of sippy cups, some of which we might buy for the Bub. They have some really simple sets that I think would be perfect (and are clearly well-loved). If the baby or his/her parents are obsessed with their lifefactory glass bottles (like I am), you could get them the sippy cup tops, so those same bottles can last multiple years (I think you owuld have to be pretty close to know that). If you want something with a little more pizazz, maybe get them one of these cute Lollaland bird sippy cups!

I know buying people snack storage may sound like the absolute worst, but I think this might be the ultimate first birthday gift. Awesome for the parents, fun for the baby, good for the Earth that baby will one day inherit. We have these stackable containers from Kids Konserve, and we use them every day to lug around cheerios and raisins (The Bub enjoys using them to bang on things on the daily). I can't even imagine how many zip loc bags we will bypass just with these three little cylinders of greatness. I would love to receive a second set or even a different snack set like this Snack Stack from Re-play, because I know things get lost, but I am hopeful we can use these throughout his cheerio-laden early years.

2. Clothes- If you want to give a kickass gift of clothing, I have two very important tips for you. First, buy in a variety of sizes (12-18, 18-24, and 2T maybe?), because parents of babies are always thinking ahead to the next size. Second, buy basics and one cool thing, avoid cutesy sets or outfits that can't really be used on a regular basis. We always need pants, socks, and pajamas. We are in less need of baby suits or foofy dresses (moms of girls please let me know what you think is most useful). We have no need for anything that says "Daddy's Future Accountant" or the like. Babies are cute on their own, so you don't have to point out how cute they are.

About 90-95% of the Bub's wardrobe is used (either a gift from my amazing cousin or bought in consignment), and I know I would think it was cool if people bought clothing items at places like these for gifts. For example, you can buy one super cute button up onesie on the Gap for about 30 bucks. Or you can buy 5 or 6 of them in consignment for the same amount of money. You can get a lot more bang for your buck!

Like I said, I loved buying the babies I knew cute things from the Gap, because they really do have adorable stuff. But they aren't ethical at all. They waste fossil fuel travelling a long way and have pretty unimpressive labor standards. Now, I've replaced their clothes with adorable (and completely reasonably priced) basics from LA-Made American Apparel and City Threads or fair trade companies like Pact.

from Garbella on Etsy

 If you want to get something with a bit more impact, you have lots of great options as well! Winter Water Factory makes one pieces, pajamas, and dresses in really unique adorable prints.

On Etsy, you can get all kinds of baby leggings that are basically the cutest things ever. If Etsy trends are any indication, all toddlers will be wearing these- my favorite came from Lola and Stella, but you can also find cool designs at Hazel and Holly, Haus of Zoe, Hold You Me, Skuttlebum, and Lucky Palm Tree.

Baby Bear Threads,  Garbella, Oh Little Rabbit, and First Love Threads sell adorable t shirts and onesies. Garbella won my heart with their pierogi onesies. I am slightly obsessed with the baby clothes (especially the cuffed jeans) at Mabel Retro out of Vancouver. Lindsey Lee sells super cute Dino hoodies that might be perfect.

 I can't speak for other moms, but I freaking love baby hats and hair stuff, so I feel like this would make for a fun gift. You can get hats for bubs their size in basically every design known to man- pineapple, Yoda, viking, lions, truly anything.  I also love the turban headbands that are very in right now and keep unruly little girls' hair in line (though in general, I support unruly little girls' anything). Haus of Zoe, Hazel and Holly, miniwhatnots, Princessory, Lucky Palm Tree,

 
3. Bubbles- They easily fit in your diaper bag and are endly fascinating to small people. Not expensive, but sometimes the simplest gift is the one that kicks everything else's ass. I think bubbles are the gift that makes the baby ignore all the fancy plastic Fisher Price nonsense. A perfect little addition to any gift. 

Uncle Goose on Amazon

4. Uncle Goose Nursery Rhyme Blocks- This company sells many great sets of good old fashioned wooden blocks, all of which would make a beautiful gift, but I LOVE our nursery rhyme blocks, because it opens up multiple avenues for play and learning at once. We can build towers and I read the nursery rhymes off the block as we do it (I forgot them all). I imagine Uncle Goose as Mother Goose's kid brother, so it serves reason that he make this spectacularly cool block set for those of us who need a nursery rhyme refresher. They also make regular alphabet blocks and ones in other languages for all the bilingual babies out there!

5. Books- If you want to buy board books, I recommend looking at children's consignment stores first, because board books are almost all printed elsewhere. If you want something tactile, you can get soft quiet books at Etsy stores like Rose in Bloom Creations. On the other hand, most regular children's books are still printed in the US, so you can support children's writers, illustrators, and publishers. Books never get old as a gift, as the Bub and I read at least 3 books a day (2 are the same and 1 of those is epically stupid, but he loves it).It's a gift that benefits everyone. And don't get goodnight moon, because every one year old you know already has it. Same with that book meant just to make moms cry.

 I would recommend going to a local bookstore for recommendations- there are still kids bookstores lots of places and lots of people have very helpful opinions to share. There are so many children's books out there, and many of them prove just how hard it is to write children's books. I am no expert, but a few of our favorites so far are The Pout Pout Fish, Giraffes Can't Dance, Pigeon Wants a Puppy, and The Monster at the End of this Book. Dr. Seuss never gets old. We also love all the Little Critter books, The Day the Crayons Quit, and a bunch of books left over from when I was a kid. Going to show, for the millionth time, that kids could care less if something is new.

6. Date Night Gift Card (and babysitting?) for the Parents- Happy parents = happy baby. It's another one of those gifts that encourages family survival, so I am all about it. I have thought about putting a coupon for one night of free babysitting in each of the birthday cards, because sometimes people need a reason to go for it, but a dinner out (or going to a movie, do you know how much new parents miss going to the movies?) might make a perfect gift!

Green Toys on Amazon

7. Green Toys Tug Boat, Airplane, or Kitchen Set- When I found out we were having a boy, I had waking nightmares of trucks, hot wheels, and Larry the Cable Guy as an old truck. Eeek! Still, if you are going to get the little one some toys (even horrifying ones with wheels), it won't get better than Green Toys. These gems are made in the US out of recycled plastic. With that much good behind them, it's hard to fight with a convertible or boat or helicopter, no matter how tedious I find masculinity in general. I personally love this kitchen set, and am plotting the basket it could live in on ou kitchen floor underneath a desk (A+ parenting, but he likes it back there).

We have 2 Green Toys so far, and they remain beloved by Baby and mother alike. If you want to go the toy route, these are a homerun. I also love their kitchen sets, which we may start getting for the baby to play with while we cook.

If you have another plasticy gift you are dying to give, may I suggest trying Buy Nothing or thrift shopping before you get it? Fisher Price is just the worst for the environment, so even if their toy is oh so cute, it may not be worth it.

8. Shutterfly Gift Certificate- I have an addiction, so this feels a little like shouting into the wind that I want cake (I do! I always want cake!), but I think that this makes a good gift for anyone who spawned, because they took lots of pictures in the last year. Shutterfly offers lots of products, but even if they just want to put their instagram pictures into an album, the site makes that happen pretty easily.

from Amazon

9. A First Wagon or Outdoor Toy- I think my mother-in-law buys a wagon for first birthdays (I could be wrong!), and it's a rock solid gift idea, because they will probably need one in the coming year, and children love them. My son loves putting things in things and taking them out over and over again. Those little red wagons are all made in China, so let's look at some other options- Berlin has a wood wagon made in the US. If you want a plastic one, Step2 wagons are listed as Made in the USA and look like the kind of thing you take to a parade.

Other outdoor toys can be real winners as well- Little Tykes still makes about half of their stuff in the US (be sure to check if this matters to you). We have one of their little cars at my Nana's house that was a hand me down when she got it 20 years ago, and it is still a grandchild favorite. So this could make for an awesome gift? Even cooler? Buy an old faded one and refinish it in colors all their own!

Bears for Humanity found on Amazon

10. This Teddy Bear- After doing my research for the babies in our life, this teddy bear and something practical may be the winning combination. The fact that Bears for Humanity even exists makes me feel better about the world. They are made in the US and their filling is even recycled, but best of all, for every bear that is bought, another is donated to a kid in need. You are basically making 2 little ones happy with one purchase. You can get the 20 dollar bears or they have larger 40 dollar ones.  I just love the idea, and I feel like it is doing good on so many levels, so I think we will do this and see how they land. I will let you know, but I highly recommend this if you are thinking about something soft and loveable. This is just awesome.

I would also recommend puppets- we bought an eagle at the consignment store, and our son loves him. Bizarrely, even, because that eagle is always getting kisses. How about a kiss for your mama? I gave you life, for goodness sake.

If you are looking for more gift ideas, shops like Muse and Scripts Gift Co offer all artisan-made, made in America, or ethical gifts. Good places to browse and wish you could buy them all!

Parents of tots, what do you think a perfect first birthday gift is? Do you have one you particularly remember? 

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Wedding Wednesday- Where to Donate your Wedding Dress

taken by first blush photos

Whether you got married 3 weeks ago or 30 years ago, you may very well still have your dress sitting in a closet somewhere. This is one of those things that tends to get carried from house to house. Some of us have a lot of emotional attachment to the dress. Some of us have hopes that a family member will want to wear it someday (though I think if you got married during the age of super synthetic dresses, the odds are low). Some of us just don't know how to get rid of it, because throwing it out feels wrong.

Wedding dresses are a pretty environmentally tricky purchase- you spend a lot of money on something that will only be used once. I know I looked at lots of used dresses, but never had the nerve to buy one that way. Now, I think I might have gone about it differently. I did end up with a dress I loved, but in the end, I am not sure it made that huge of a difference.

This blog covers a lot of territory on shopping more ethically, but one of the most eco-friendly things you can do is to have less and to get rid of things in an ethical way. Sure, maybe someday your daughter will want to wear your wedding dress (she won't) but in that time, that dress could have lived multiple lives or multiple weddings. In an ideal world, we would all be way more willing to let things go, because the more used stuff is out there, the more we can all invest in secondhand instead of more brand new stuff that will land in a landfill.

So, the question becomes, where can you offload that wedding dress?

First, you could sell it online for yourself, make a little money back, and help out another bride. Here are some options:

Once Wed was my favorite place to browse dresses, and I think you can resell decor as well. Honestly, if I could do it all again, I would probably buy a dress from here.

Preowned Wedding Dresses is probably the most commonly used, though I tried to sell a dress on here and it never worked out. Still, if you have a recent dress that someone can still go to the store and try on, you might have a lot more luck than I did.

Second, you could donate it to an organization that will sell it secondhand to help make them money (my favorite idea, but you do you). Some ideas:

Adorned in Grace, based in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington, sells bridal and formal wear (so maybe somewhere to donate all those bridesmaid dresses?) to raise money to help women once caught in human trafficking and to raise awareness of the epically huge problem. Pretty awesome cause if you ask me. Your dress gets a second life, AND you get to help other women. So cool. I think I will send a few old prom and bridesmaid dresses their way.

Angel Gowns breaks your heart and makes you feel better about the universe at the same time. These organizations take donated wedding gowns and turn them into dresses for stillborn babies or babies that pass away. If your dress is older and you don't think some of the other organizations would want them, look into the multiple angel gown organizations to give a special gift to parents going through something truly awful.

Brides Across America is incredibly cool because it doesn't sell your dress, it gives it away to a military bride planning their wedding (a big challenge when your fiance is serving far away). This charity has given away wedding gowns to 12,000  brides in events all over the country. What a cool way to say thank you. They only accept dresses five years old or younger, so stop wringing your hands and go for it already.

The Bridal Garden- If you are shopping or donating in the New York City area (looking at you, Kleinfeld shoppers), the Bridal Garden sells wedding dresses to benefit underserved children in the New York area. Give them your dress or start your shopping there instead of the big salons.

Brides for a Cause is a huge and very successful consignment salon that sells their dresses "for charity" It felt a little vague to me (ok, a cause, but which one?), but they do donate to Brides Across America right now, so you are still contributing to a very positive mission by donating your dress to them. I love it.

Brides for Haiti sells your dresses to raise money for Saint Joseph's Parish's charitable work in Haiti. Looks a little trickier in terms of shipping, but otherwise great!

The Brides Project in Toronto sells the donated dresses with the profits all going to cancer charities; this store has already put 600,000 dollars into cancer charities! That's awesome!

Success in Style is a Baltimore-based organization that gives out of work individuals wardrobes to help in their business lives. They have a consignment store to fund their mission, and now they accept wedding gowns for their wedding consignment store Cherie Amor.

Wish Upon a Wedding gifts weddings and vow renewals to men and women (regardless of sexual orientation, which I think is especially important) suffering from terminal illnesses. I am looking around, and I am not positive they still accept dresses, but if you can't donate your dress, you could still sell it and donate the proceeds.

I know I have a dress I bought on super clearance panic(like 70% off?) that has been sitting in a closet since 2012. I am offering it on Buy Nothing, but if there aren't any bites, it is moving on to one of these charities. I am not sure if I am ready to have my wedding dress see the same fate, but I am seriously thinking about it.

When you see all these things your dress can do, it seems like it is really underperforming in your closet, right? I know I struggle with the idea of parting with my dress, and I don't know if I will muster the courage or not, but the more dresses get multiple uses (and do all these wonderful things for people who need them) the better for everyone.

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Toys for Older Kids

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

This month is all about shopping for babies and kids, because it may not seem like it but buying them less stuff and more ethical stuff is a huge investment in their future. The trick is that once they get older (I am thinking 6-10), it can be harder to find toys they like, much less toys that are ethically-made or good for the environment. I know I am getting more and more worried about getting my niece and nephew gifts that are a hit, but I have found some cool stores on Etsy that sell things I think they would find to be awesome.

from Suite Dream Creators

1.Suite Dream Creators- I think these sorts of tents could still be really cool, because it kind of gives them some independent space and room to be creative. I find kids in this age group really do still like imaginative play, but sometimes it gets replaced with screen time. I love the tents Suite Dream Creators makes, because they are room height and just really cool. Want something more simple? Maybe try North Star Teepees.

from Goldenlake Creations

2. Goldenlake Creations- Got someone playing Pokemon Go in your house (I know I do, but he isn't 6-10 years old)? Goldenlake Creations makes really adorable plush Pokemons. Might be kind of a fun cool way to extend the play when the screen is off.

from Pretti Mini

3. Pretti Mini- Mostly, Pretti Mini sells craft supplies, but among those supplies are some cool craft kits that might make for some really fun afternoons. My favorites are the microphones you could decorate- such a good idea!

from Rustic Road Designs

4. Rustic Road Designs- Kids in these age groups often really like games (and can get awesome at them), so I love stores like Rustic Road Designs that sell outdoor games. My nephew currently loves connect 4, and I think these huge outdoor ones look really fun. Kind of steep for a gift for a single person, but maybe a family gift?

from Polksadotty

5. Polksadotty- The best thing you can give them is your time. I know that sounds so lame, and it is totally a cliche, but it is true. You can tell something is really worth doing if it is pretty hard, and I think coming up with new activities and ideas for this age group can be a huge challenge. Stores like Polksadotty sell fun sets of cards with different family activity ideas. Maybe buy a set like this and set a goal to get through them all? Might be more fun than you expect!

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We Love the Local List- Clarion, PA

This is a new blog series where we can each sing the praises of our favorite local shops, brands, and restaurants. 



Supporting local businesses does even more than supporting small business owners (though that is great too). It keeps your money local to you (not off wherever the Waltons are vacationing), creates more jobs for your friends and family, and even helps the environment. 



Why is shopping local good for the environment? We talk a lot about commutes and how much fuel people use to travel, and the same applies to your stuff. The further your stuff has to travel, the more fossil fuels they use and energy they waste. Large companies and chains pretty consistently show less responsibility and concern for the environment and the communities they are in, so you can effect positive change locally and decrease your environmental impact just by shopping and eating local! 





 This blog intends to encourage us to get out and explore the businesses near where we live. See it as a fun challenge to see what you can support nearby and be surprised what amazingness you may have missed. You can also check out other lists to find the coolest places to go when you travel to new places!  

Mark is the boyfriend of my beloved sister-in-law Elizabeth. He is also a recent graduate of Clarion University, and he has spent the last five years living in this college town. He (with the help of Elizabeth) wrote a list of the best local haunts there, which I think is great whether you are a money-light college student or not! Also, if you are short on money but still want to make more eco-friendly choices, check out my blogs on Greening the Basics and Green Living in an Apartment. You are the future, youths! Thank you to Mark for sharing his favorites with us. Take it away, Mark! 

*Disclaimer this list is comprised of places that I frequented while I was a broke college student, meaning I wanted the most bang for my buck.*

Sweet Basil: This is an Italian restaurant in which all of the food is home made. The flavors are great and the price is very good for the quality. There is a vodka sauce that would make an Italian that owns his own restaurant say that it is good.

Hunan King: The best Chinese restaurant in town. For $20 I can feed my girlfriend and myself, and take home leftovers. The buffet is lacking though.

Daddy's Hotdog Shop: When you first walk in and hear the head chef singing my heart will go on you know you found a good place. The food is fantastic and the head chef is very creative with his menu, also he will make menu items for fundraisers. Try the gyro cheese steak sandwich.

Bob's Subs: This is like subway, if subway knew how to put meat on a sub. It tastes far better and the price is great as well.

Pizza Pub: I work at a pizza place, and I would never get tired of Pizza Pub. Try their home style crust Buffalo chicken pizza.

Want to write your own Loving the Local List? You fill my heart with joy! Just send me a list of your five to ten favorite local brands and stores (it doesn't have to be just around the street- a State specific snack or small chain of restaurants works just fine). Write a few sentences on why you love each thing (and I love pictures if you have them) and send them to sunshineguerrilla@gmail.com.

Would you like to buy more environmentally responsible or Made in America products? I've got you covered! Check out my Mega List of Shopping Lists for tons of ideas for any shopping trip.

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An Earth-Friendly, American-Made Baby Registry- Pregnancy, Delivery, and the 4th Trimester

Congratulations, you are going to spawn! When you get pregnant, it doesn't take long before you realize that having a baby takes a lot of stuff. A whole lot of stuff.

 If you are trying to be Earth-friendly, this can cause a real dilemma- you are about to get a whole bunch of items that you might only use for a month or two, and a lot of it is made cheaply (meaning some super sketchy labor policies, non-recyclable materials, all sorts of nonsense). If you are trying to encourage American labor, this can be tricky as well, since most major baby clothing brands are made elsewhere. This is the bad news.

The good news is that it can be done! Welcome to the Earth-Friendly and American-Made Baby Registry.

I wish I had realized how many possibilities there are when we made our registry, so this is what I have learned along the way. I will also try to mention products I have really loved, because I know I looked for that when I was perusing mommy blogs to make our registry. Not everything will be perfect, but you can make many choices in baby preparation that do a little bit for the world before your baby even gets here! 

The first huge step you can take toward buying ethically for your baby is when you are planning his or her space and making your registry. You can't control everything that your family and friends buy you for your future spawn (you will get at least one onesie with "Mommy's future ballerina" or "Future Slugger" on it. I am sorry, but we all live through it), but you can try to be strategic about what you ask for. First, think about how you group what you need: 

1. Can you re-use something else to fill that purpose? Old shelves might work for toys or an old dresser for a changing table with a little creativity and a fresh coat of paint. Think creatively about your nursery, because you may have a lot of what you need already.

2. Can I buy it (or be gifted it) used? This is HUGE for clothes. Baby consignment stores are relatively easy to find, and there are usually sizable collections of baby clothes at Goodwill and the like. Gifting economies (like the Buy Nothing Project) have baby clothes up for grabs almost everyday. You can't stop other people, but you can commit to cutting out most new clothes from your own purchases. We can talk more about this later.

 Go see your local consignment places first, because you may be surprised. We got our changing pads there, as well as blankets (those Aden and Anais ones that people love, as well as the little ones with animal heads, which are great but super creepy), toys, and books. Join your Buy Nothing Project (or start one!)- we have already lent out a swing and a bouncer (both of which are absolutely essential for about 5 minutes, and then you never use it again). 

3. Can I find it made in the USA or out of Sustainable materials? Your priorities are your own, but I will try to give you a heads up on some of the products and companies that are more ethical and responsible.

4. Can I find it Open Box? You can also usually find "Open Box" versions on many of the big baby products on Amazon, meaning someone returned it almost immediately, but everything is in place. Once you are filling those gaps in your registry, this can be a Godsend, because they are always cheaper and it keeps the world from being filled with stuff people aren't using. 

So, if you have a dresser that you can use for a changing table, don't register for a changing table! And if you find a good baby bathtub in a consignment store, don't register for that either! Without further ado, these are some of the good options we found (and I will try to at least mention other ethical, green, or American-made products and you can report back if you liked them):

The first step for many (though not all) of us, most of which happens before you even start your baby wishlist, is taking care of yourself, before, during, and after that big day where a bunch of strangers hang out around your business (ah, the memories). This can get overlooked, but let's take a minute and focus on that, because you do make a lot of little purchases, and they do matter.

while you are prego 

Baby Books (used)-  What to Expect is good to have, but you probably don't need to buy it fresh when there are hundreds of copies waiting to get love again (and I bet you will use websites and apps more). You could also check your local library for some of that wisdom. If you think something is particularly great- buy it! You can also get the digital version if you love trees, but also want to pay people for their intellectual contribution.

Belevation from Amazon

Belly Band (used)- The Ingrid and Isabel model is genius, but it is also imported. Check out your consignment store for these gems, because really, what else are people going to use them for? So you can find them in most baby consignment stores that sell maternity clothes or even thread up. A belly band and a hair band can keep you regular clothes lasting so much longer. Ingrid and Isabel's are now imported, so if you need to get one new, I recommend Belevation or My Bella Mama.

Belly Care (new)- The effectiveness of these things is pretty well-debated. but I loved the way it felt, and I made it through without stretch marks. Two of the brands I loved and used are made in the US; Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter (I used this most days after the shower, and if nothing else it felt good and smelled great) and Mother's Special Blend (mostly after the fact).

Other Options- Bobbie's Belly and Body Balm, Best Nest Wellness, Nine Naturals, Midwife and Mum Belly Butter, Baby Belly Bar, Green Earth Naturals, Empire Squid, Wandering Mom Shop (this one looks especially great), and Earth Wise Skincare Co

from Neodesigner

Body Pillows, Support Bands and Ginger Pops (just wait)- As soon as you are pregnant, it's tempting to address all the crazy symptoms you might have. But you won't have all of them. In fact, most pregos don't even get most of them. Address your discomforts as they come! Your pregnancy will be all your own.

If you do decide one (or all) of these are needs, I have you covered. For a body pillow, I have used a giant stuffed fish, which I highly recommend, but if you can't find one (and you dont want to buy the Made in China Boppy pillows- why does a pillow ever need to be imported?)- Neodesigner, Leachco, Coop Home Goods, SnugglePedic, Relax Home Life, Five Diamond Collection, and Millas World.

Support bands will supposedly help your back if you are having a lot of pain. You have a few Made in the USA options, though you might try a friend's first to see if it helps- Gabrialla, Bao Bei Maternity (for sports), Underworks, or Alpha Medical.

Ginger Pops can be a lifesaver for nausea, so it might be a good first stop before considering medication.Eco-friendly brands? Preggie Pops and Tummy Drops,

Clothing (mostly used, just a few pieces new)- Contrary to popular belief, many of us can go a pretty long time before calling in the maternity clothes. Also good to know is that most baby consignment stores have small maternity sections. The first time, I spent too much on clothes. This time, I mostly filled my closet with used clothes. Name brand stuff too! If you make your wardrobe with secondhand pieces, you can focus your money on key pieces.

My essential list for maternity clothing is pretty short- 1-2 pairs of jeans, 1 stretchy maxi skirt, 5 shirts, 2-3 casual dresses, 1 nice dress, and 3 pairs of leggings.

Where can you find solid, made in America pieces? Both Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod have Made in the USA filters so you can find things easily. Etsy has tons of t-shirt, robe, and maternity dress options, so it is worth looking there. Another great place to look is Pink Blush Maternity- not everything is made in the US (you have to check) but much of it is and they have extended sizes compared to lots of other places.

I like Bun Maternity's choices for ponchos and sweatshirts. Majamas sells all kinds of maternity pajamas.

-One Pair of Jeans- These pregnancy jeans were made in the US by AG Jeans, and are my favorite jeans I have ever owned. Writing this, I kind of miss these jeans. They seem expensive for maternity clothes, but they got constant use and stayed out the longest of all my maternity clothes.

To add, for my second time around, I bought another pair of American-made maternity jeans from J Brand, and they are still great but they are TIGHT. I would recommend sizing up for sure. These jeans I bought are expensive, but I wore that one pair of maternity jeans constantly (even past being pregnant), so it felt like a solid investment. If you just can't on jeans you won't wear long, go to a local baby consignment store- ours has so many you can ask to see more if you can't find ones you want. My best advice is to go stretchy and to make sure you know your preference about how much of your belly is covered.

- One Fancy Dress- This dress was another huge winner which has since been passed around to prego neighbors. Nothing should be called flattering when you carry a giant cauldron on your front, but damn this dress is flattering. From Ingrid and Isabel (not everything is from China), and you can tell they know their way around a prego- slightly longer but flowy sleeves, empire waist, and a great view of some oversized nunjas.

This year, I bought three casual dresses used, but I did splurge on one Rachel Pally dress. This one isn't it, but I do love what I got (and it is made in the US). If you are going to splurge, you need to find things you feel genuinely beautiful in.

- A Few Versatile Pieces- Say it with me- Maxi dress. You can buy a few pieces that give you space in that first trimester that will stretch as you grow and make for good wear when the baby comes. I love a good Made in America maxi from Modcloth. I have the Breezy Night Stroll dress, but you do what works for you.

-Some Shapewear- This sounds like a joke, but it is nice to have some things that hold you in. For me, I just wanted something to keep my giant prego thighs separate so I could still walk everywhere. Belevation has great options, and they are all made here.

Nursing Bras (new) - You think this is something to worry about late in pregnancy, but as soon as you are thinking "bigger bra" you should think about getting really supportive nursing bras with clasps. Rather than buying two sets of not great bras, buy one set of really supportive bras (because your boobs have it so hard anyway).  I would recommend Bella Materna. Most of their stuff is made in America, and they have a stellar  reputation and customer service.

Also, people talk about "sleeping bras" or soft bras which look like a sports bra. Actually, what it reminds me of is a starter bra. I think they are too wimpy for the task at hand. Here is a US-made one from Belly Bandit in case it turns out to be just what you need, but I wouldn't recommend them.

Did I mention you can get almost everything you need used? Do that. Check Thred Up if you don't have any consignment nearby! Don't waste a bunch of money on clothes you will only wear for a few months! But it also isn't the time to buy junk that will make it straight to the landfill. You don't want your baby's world to be a giant landfill.

Prenatal Vitamins (new)- Yep, you need them. Check the bottle and get them in bulk (if you plan to breastfeed, you have a long run with those horse pills). Beyond that, my best advice

Workout DVDs- You can buy some of the gems (my favorite is Summer Sanders and her sister in law- on sale for 1 cent). There are plenty of options, just be sure to check the Used section.

what to bring to the hospital

We way overpacked for the hospital and then my husband just kept forgetting our bag in the car. So we spent all but the last day with just a third of what we had planned. The point of this is, you will need less than you think. The bub spent his first two days diaper only, and you don't want to miss any good skin to skin time. I wouldn't buy anything specifically for this time unless you think you would use it again.

We got our packing list here, which includes genius things like a phone charger (you will be sitting in bed a lot). I would add your camera charger, a surprise bag for your partner, and flip flops for the shower (bring socks too! hospitals are cold).

I am not going to do too much for these, but I do want to point out that there isn't anything on this shopping list (like so many others) that you can't buy with ethical materials or Made in the US.

from Ginger Lous

A Going Home Outfit (new)- Last time, we used a newborn outfit gifted to us. I think Carter's made it. Now, I am planning on going big and getting something on Etsy, since it is literally the only newborn thing I am buying. Etsy has so many stores that sell just this kind of adorable thing to browse through- Monroe's House, Jolie and June, Ginger Lous, Little Beans, Baby Nell, Gigi and Max, The Southern Closet 101, and Maine Girl Creations.

One Swaddle Blanket (used)- I have talked about swaddle blankets on my Don't Buy Aden and Anais post, and I will talk about it more later in the registry. You can find used Aden and Anais blankets in pretty good condition at many kid's consignment stores, so if you are feeling like you have to be in on the trend, do it that way. My quick suggestion is one Snug Bug muslin blanket to practice, but they will have lots of blankets at the hospital for you.

from Bliss Joy Bull

Toiletry Bag, Shower, and/ or Make Up Bag (wait)- Do you have any of these already? Then they will work just fine. I also think you overestimate how much you will be sprucing in those first few days. I must have showered, but I don't remember it, and it would have been a rinse off. Bring the toiletries you can't live without, but you don't need tons of make up or gussing tools. A few options if you don't have the bags you need- Bliss Joy Bull,  Jack and Mulligan, Dana Herbert, The Club Bag, Purifyou reusable mesh bags, Gracie Designs, and Needle and Oak.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bottles (new)- Never buy those little travel-sized shampoos! Are you crazy!? It's just waste. If you want something that size, try a cool reusable bottle like these from Moyo Natural Labs (my new favorites). I have these GoToob ones, and they need to travel in their own biobag, but otherwise, they are awesome and waste-free. You can use the same ones for a long, long time and keep tons of "travel-sized" waste out of landfills.

Toothbrush (you have it)- Ok, you have one of these already. I get that. But if you are ready to make an eco-friendly change (and this is a perfect opportunity- almost all toothbrushes are fresh plastic and made in China), try a recycled plastic toothbrush from Preserve or a bamboo toothbrush.

Hairbrush (you have it)- I feel confident if you need one, one already lives in your home, but if you are looking to replace there are made in America and eco-friendly options.

Moisturizer and Face Wash (you have it)- If these things matter to you, you already have these products (and probably some failed experiments) at home. We have been trying to find natural and made in America face wash we love, and so far I think Avalon Organics is winning. For moisturizer, we have stuck with Aveeno's moisturizer and sunscreen combo; it's made in Canada, and it has served us well for so many years I can't talk The Boy out of it.

2 Maxi Dresses (new/used)- Look up! Already covered this. If you are trying to breastfeed, bring something you can get a boob out of easily. Otherwise, whatever you already have in maternity clothes will be perfect.

One Cardigan (you have it)- Just bring something you already have at home. It's just to stay warm if the maxi dress isn't cutting it!

One Nursing Tank/ Pajama (new/used)- I covered this in the pregnancy section, and honestly, this is only if you are a pajama pants and top kind of girl. At least for me, I was still in a hospital gown most of the time, so I just wore a pair of old pajama shorts underneath. Nothing fancy or special. You know which of your business you feel alright having out.

Phone Charger (you have it)- Ack, alright, there is one thing you can't buy Made in the USA. As soon as they make a smart phone in the US, I will be all over it.

Camera Charger (you have it)- Yeah, yeah. Same story. For the record, electronics are the worst. You can sometimes find something refurbished, but otherwise, no really good options exist.

Socks (maybe 1 pair new?) - I wore a pair of fox socks in the hospital with the Bub, and I feel like homey socks makes the cold hospital seem a little better. The bad news is that Sock it to Me and Hot Sox are both imported, so if you want to cut down on unecessary shipping, you have to get more creative looking for novelty socks. My current favorites are Solmate Socks- they are made in the US with recycled yarn, and I love that they intentionally don't match! We have some for the Bub, and we get way more compliments than you might expect.

Other Options- For Bare Feet make their (fishy!) socks in Indiana. Wheelhouse makes novelty socks here in the States, though seemingly only of cats. Sockwell makes their socks in the US, and they even have gradual compression socks, which will be great if you swell or have a c-section (this might be my pick this time). Mad Sports Socks and World's Softest sell US-made socks as well.

fourth trimester

Nursing Pads (new)- You will see lots of these one time use, disposable nursing pads AND IT MAKES NO SENSE. What evil villain convinced us that this was something to throw away? So much garbage (and wasted money)  They wash up just like anything else in your laundry and are perfectly reusable. This one is more than a little annoying. My pick? Love your Reusables are organic, made in America, and around the same price as a box of the the disposables (but they will last for much longer). If you want to register for something more fun, I think Marley's Monsters has adorable designs to really spice up those nipples (I kid, but not really).

Other Options- NuAngel, Baby Kicks, Loveybums, Baby Greeters, Prarie Love Organic, Soft and Scrubby, and Greening Boutique.

Nursing Pajamas (used or new)- It is probably fine to get used, but these aren't something I have noticed in stores. You probably don't need a ton (2 or 3 at the most), but it is nice to not have to fight the battle of getting your nunjas out early on when they already hurt. Majamas are made in the USA and have glowing reviews.

Nursing Tank (used or new)-  Tanks with snaps were a big part of my nursing mainstay. You could do a button up and easily stay mostly covered. You can sometimes find them in Maternity sections in consignment stores, but in general, your best bet is probably to get an American-made version. I really like this ruffled one from Shop Pretty Girl- perfect for summer. This one from Preggers Maternity is also a support tank.

Post-partum Belly Wrap (new)- I didn't find these particularly helpful after my c-section, but some people do swear by them, especially helping them refind their shape and accelerate healing. I may not have been committed enough to wearing it, but I didn't mind wearing my Belly Bandit. Belly Bandits are one of the most loved versions of this idea, and they are Made in the USA! This one looks even better because it is made from bamboo. Bellefit are also (mostly?) made in America. 

Sanitary Pads and Panty Liners (new)- This blog has never touched on this, but pads and panty liners, like diapers make a whole lot of waste and aren't very eco-friendly at all. Best case scenario, we would all use reusable ones all the time, but I can't imagine being ok with my mother or mother-in-law having to deal with that mess while I recovered post-birth. If you are doing all your own laundry, maybe that would work for you, but let's look at some other options too.

Organyc makes organic cotton pads that are biodegradable and much kinder to the wearer than the bleached things we all grew up with. Maybe not perfect for regular shopping, but worth it post-partum? Natratouch also has all-cotton pads (so biodegradable and healthy), and their cotton is even grown in the United States. Honestly, Seventh Generation's offering is pretty freaking lame, and it looks like they aren't even made in the US, but it is still better than plastic-lined and chlorine soaked panty liners that mainstream brands schlep. Veeda liners look a little better.

Alright! Be on the look out for Part 2 next week and please leave comments if there are things I should add! It can be tough to do all this research as 1 person, but if we share our ideas, I think we can make a big difference!

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