Babymoon
We took a "babymoon" overnight trip this Valentine's weekend down to Carlsbad. We stayed right across from the beach and had time to relax, walk on the beach, eat yummy food, shop, see my cousin C. and her fiance M., and even go to the beautiful new Encinitas library! It was a great pre-parenting getaway! Now that I'm home, I'm starting to do the heavy-duty research on what we need and don't need, and I'm realizing I don't know much! For instance-how many bottles do we need? What's the difference between travel systems, infant car seats, bases and convertible car seats? Who knew that I didn't know? Not me! Wish us luck!!
Comments
I'd be happy to help but you (of course I continue to blab below a LOT more than planned but I was on a roll, sorry!!!) Where did/are you registering - still have to look at your site but did you start room/colors, etc???
I can scan your registry if want and tell you my opinion and I'm sure Gretchen and Julie could help too...) may get too many peoples opinions about what to buy/not buy.
Just know you do NOT have to buy the most trendy/expensive item Pegs and 1/2 the stuff you probably will never use. As far as certain things like pacies, bottles, etc. get a few different ones to test w/ baby (some take to any, some take to none, esp. pacifiers), some have gas/some don't (ha! ha!) w/ bottles, formula, etc.
Also, a good thing to know (told Gretchen too... make sure you know how to use the straps (I could safely get car seat in car but could not securely get my baby in/out of car seat until nurses help as didn't learn where the loosener thingy was for straps, no kidding!!!), installing etc. the CAR SEAT before you leave/go to hosp. and bring manual for that/strollers etc. w/ you-leave in car at beginning!!!) ; )
Also, there's really no need to rush to get a comforted/crib set or even a theme for his room (if at all as can't use 1/2 the stuff nowadays anyways, like crib bumpers etc.) and the only thing I think I've used for the boys rooms were curtains and throw rugs w/ the 2 themes I chose, really!
I stressed sooo much about my registry list that I think I studied more about car seats than I did buying my last car!
For strollers I absolutely recommend starting out with just the car seat frame stroller, they're wonderful... your baby will sit in smaller/takealong car seat for quite a while and this is AWESOME as just take car seat out of car and snap in to frame of stroller so don't have to bother/wake baby... and it's light/easy to do and inexpensive... I still love it w/ 2nd child and Sean's 4 mths and still using (they're still kind of small around this age for some other strollers). Some people like a travel system, but I've heard mixed reviews about them... I didn't get one. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2266236
I also totally recommend this play gym as newborns to 19 mth+ old (Ryan and Sean BOTH play w/) love love love it http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2402051
and definitely get a vibrating type chair (ok, sorry guess I am now throwing out my opinion/products I loved/kids did!): )
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2508008
The only other items for now that are great from my experience (but others will have their own to!) are the imonitor baby monitors works great, mines from 2007 too (didn't get/need video one esp. since both my kids are/were in my room for at least 1st 4 months)
My sister suggested these two that I love love love (though stroller was for 6 + mths or something and bassinet is great (my kids slept/are sleeping in it now/did for long time before cribs... for mini pack and play/travel too but has wt/ht limits)
Maclaren is gray/blue and only neg. is gets kind of dirty and sun shade not great, but they're all like that!
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2511554
(Bassinet is green!)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012715
Also, 1 more item ; ) that I got later w/ Ryan was a different high chair, I love but VERY VERY DIRTY/gets gross and hear they all do (also have a cheapy travel one that's pretty good too) here are both and then I'll leave you alone for a bit (and need to get to bed after making back up bottles for 1-2 midnight snacks for 1-2 kids, grrr!!!)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2872607
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012847
Ok, sorry so long/hope not overwhelming... I could go on and on, but think I have already for now!!! MUAH!