Yes, you are right there is so much to bring/buy for a baby, phew! This is what I did/do. And I know I am crazy, but it really works for me and we come all the way from Hawaii

I buy and pack as much as I can from home in our suitcases, I pack diapers, wipes, dishsoap, sponges, paper towels, 2 dishpans (works great, I used one to wash the bottles in and the other I lined with paper towels and used that one for them to dry in), I even bring ziplocks, some red cups, gosh, whatever I think we will need. Once the suitcase was almost completely filled with diapers, haha. I think once we even put a couple packs of diapers in the carseat bag with the carseat. But what is great about this is that we once we used everything then I have lots and lots of room to go shopping with

Of course, we still have to purchase a bunch of stuff, but it kinda wasn't such a huge purchase all at once on the stuff I buy in bulk from Costco at home. Just a suggestion..... works great for us.
Have fun!!