Day 319 - An unexpected Baby Room item

Besides a baby changing table, crib and a rocking chair, I bet many of you wouldn't expect this to be a requirement in a baby room:

This exercise ball has saved my life! Any time Alexis has been crying, if I sit on this ball, hold her upright facing me, and bounce, she will be quiet - every time! It will be on and off crying, but she does quiet down, and she falls asleep faster if I bounce her rather than rock her. Wow, who knew? The only problem is after a while it kills my back. She doesn't care to be rocked if she's wide awake. Only until she's already partially asleep. Then I can transfer from the ball to the rocking chair and give my back a break. Seriously, she's high maintenance, this one. It's a good thing I love her! The things mother's do for their little ones, right?