Saturday, September 6, 2008

If you can't say anything nice, come sit next to me.

[Disclaimer: this is not a song title or lyric.]

My friend Kathy alerted me that she has been unable to leave comments on the blog. This, of course, is unacceptable, so staying true to my high-tech, computer savvy ways, (ahem.), I have fixed the issue. Now anyone, yes, anyone, can comment. So, comment away.

Love, Joanna

Oh, PS, Babies R Us sent me into official panic mode today. I had to leave after registering for only 9 items, two of them being Boppys. I am trying to decompress at this point, and have instructed Kristian that his input is a must on items such as cribs, stroller, play yard, and all of the "gear." I will drag people like Kristy and my mom in for the other thousands of incidentals - for both the new and old school mom feedback (sorry GramBonnie, you're old!). Any of you moms out there that have been through this, I plead to you, tell me items that you would never buy again, items that just aren't worth buying but seemed like a good idea at the time, items that you wish you would have had, items that you can't live without etc. etc. I'm seriously overwhelmed, but I'll get through it. I came home promptly today after registering for my 9 items and continued the process of gutting/re-organizing our house - we're moving the office to the basement officially tomorrow. I'll post photos - I'm actually really excited about the space I'm going to have down there. Ugh.

7 comments:

Meredith said...

This is according to my experience...

MUST HAVES:
- Lansinoh brand lanolin and breastmilk bags. They're the best!
- Gerber flannel burp cloths x1000!
- pacifiers (nipple confusion my butt!)
- Double stroller
- Umbrella stroller(s)
- Swing
- Bouncy chair
- Port a crib...have used ours way more than I thought we ever would.
- Bottles with a "natural" looking nipple. We've used the Avent bottles for all three kiddos; none of them have had trouble going back and forth from breast to bottle or with weaning.
- White onesies
- Diapers!!! I *heart* Huggies! They're my fav. Least favorite: Luvs & White Cloud
- Wipes - Kirkland signature brand from Costco...gentle, no smell, and soft.


DON'T BOTHER:
- Bottle warmers
- Wipe warmers
- Diaper genie/diaper champ (we just stick the smelly ones in a plastic grocery back, tie it up and pitch it.) Those genies and champs don't really do anything to the smells. Believe me, we've tried.
- Recieving blankets (they outgrow them too fast, and they only make square ones. The hospital ones are rectangle and MUCH better for swaddling. I'll hook you up!)
- Bunting...super cute, but they'll only wear it home from the hospital. It's a pain to have clothes on top of clothes.

I guess that's a start...

Meredith said...

A couple more....

GET:
- Sleepers with zippers...not snaps. They are so much easier and quick to get on when dealing with kicking arms and legs!
- Baby monitor (cordless). My mom got us a video monitor, which is nice, but the video or reception was never super great. Although, being able to just roll over, click a button, and see the baby was just fine was very convenient and nice.
- A glider/rocker. I love mine. :) I'd even say spend a little extra money on a really good one.

DON'T BOTHER:
- Bassinett/co-sleeper. I'd do yourself a favor and stick them in the crib from the get-go.
- Cutsie crap they're just going to wear once and grow out of too quickly. (You know, like whole coordinated matching ensembles...hat, shoes, socks, belt, earrings, bling, etc. It's a waste of money to have all of that for one outfit that they will probably have a blow-out in!)

DON'T WORRY ABOUT UNTIL LATER:
- High chair. You could even skip this altogether and just go for a booster seat with a tray. They're cheaper and more space-saving.
- Sippy cups, spoons, etc. for feeding. It'll be about 4 to 6 months before you need that stuff. So don't worry about it now.
- Humidifier/de-humidifier. We didn't get one until Wyatt kept getting colds/coughs. And if/when you do get one, get a COOL mist one; the warm ones are just breeding grounds for bacteria.

OK, that's it for now...

Joanna Kleine said...

Holy shit Meredith! THANK YOU!! Keep the info coming - it absolutely helps ease my mind....Thanks again....

Suzanne said...

Must Haves:
BIBS
Extra bottle nipples (I use Gerber and they wear out and make it more difficult for Haley to eat)
Portable Crib
If you use Costco - Kirkland brand diapers are the best and SOOOO Cheap. You get like 200 for $30!! They have never leaked on me and they get VERY full at night!
Portable bottle warmer (think its on walmart.com) You just heat it and stays warm for lots of hours (I never got one but wish I would have)
BabyMonitor is great when taking places. We live in small apartment and didnt use at home but when we went to friends we used it
The Boppy pillow is great to set infant in and helps them sit up when they grow!!
** When they're a little older definitely get a jumper (Baby einstein jumper we got its very cool)
Oh for baths I found the cheapest and best thing was those yellow sponge type things that are like $5 and you can lay them in the kitchen sink if yours is big enough and it doesnt hurt your back. She now has a blow up yellow duck that sits in tub and is GREAT!!!

I didnt need:
I agree with the wipe warmer. I used mine for a week maybe! Never took time to fill it back up, plus I didnt have it on the go so she needed to get used to cold wipes!

I'll think of more I'm sure!!!

Joanna Kleine said...

Thanks so much guys - seriously this info is invaluable because, as you know, there's like 4 brands of everything and lots of things that you think "hey, that would come in handy" and really isn't worth the money, etc. etc... I know a lot of it is just trial and error but to hear other mom's experiences with specific items is really, really helpful... THANKS!

Anonymous said...

I was completely overwhelmed too and made my sister-in-law come with me to pick out all the small stuff. I can't give you any advice on what you'll actually use, since I won't use any of it until November, but there's a great book I found to help with the big stuff. Its called Baby Bargains and I'd be happy to lend it to you :)

here's a link to the book blog:
http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/

also, by the way - I've tagged you on my blog to list 6 unspectacular quirks about yourself.

Meredith said...

Hey? You there? Hellloooooo? Haven't posted in a while and I've been wondering how you've been! :)

So the costco diapers, they're just like huggies (as far as absorbancy, looks, feel, etc), and I compared them once while at the store: the huggies diapers cost like maybe half a cent more per diaper, but you get more in the box than the costco brand. Therefore that's why it looks like the Huggies are a lot more. But in reality, it's less than a cent per diaper different. Just FYI. :)