Picture Mr Smith putting together the pack-n-play. He was so cute. Mostly when he had to read the directions. Do we have a child? Don't ask such silly questions. Hopefully it won't collect too much dust in 5.5 months. We're ready now . . . (but not really)
It has a changing thing and a removable bassinet that vibrates.
I'm okay with not needing a changing table. It will probably mean we won't get a crib for awhile too.
Next we need to hear from our baby/exercise friends a good car seat & jogging stroller (maybe ones that work together)... Any favorites?
Then a blanket . . .
Then a breast pump . . .
Then a diaper bag. . .
Then lots of diapers, toys & cute clothes.
And even a mobile.
Then they get older and there's even more things.
Mr Smith is just so thrilled.
I'd love to hear about any products that you recommend/absolutely love having.
Here is one thing you can do to annoy Mr Smith: go through the cabinet where random Mr Smith things are stored in shoe boxes and start making piles. He will ask you what you're doing and when you say making space, he'll tell you he needs EVERYTHING.
(he doesn't)
I made some room for the baby today.
Wow! Look at you getting ready! I have a list that someone made me while I was pregnant on baby stuff, and I've added to it since then. I can e-mail that to you; hopefully it helps. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Please do: kaylalooper.smith@gmail.com.
DeleteSwaddling blankets. I couldn't LIVE without them. They are not just normal blankets you swaddle your baby in. They are like little blanket sacks with velcro on them I loved those. Also, unless you want a fancy electric breast pump they will give you a manual one at the hospital for free that works well. I loved my boppy pillow but I didn't really use it much until he was about 2 or 3 months old. And I know they are kind of expensive but I loved having a baby gym. Austin would play in there for up to 30 minutes at a time without fussing. We also had a fabulous baby swing that I couldn't have lived without but I think I already see one of those in your picture. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYes I have some nice swaddling blankets that work for multiple things, but not the ones with velcro on them, but I know what you're talking about. We'll see how the breast pump things goes. I hear it's nicer to have an electric, but I also hate spending $300 on a breast pump, ha, so maybe I'll wait? I'll check into the bobby pillows and baby gyms as well =) Thanks!!
DeleteHate to break it to you, girl, but Eli outgrew his little bassinet in three weeks! And your baby is going to have a tall gene. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I would suggest checking into what your hospital charges to rent a pump. They are HIGH quality pumps (a couple of thousand dollars each), which quality you can't even get close to for $300. With such a tender, sensitive area, TRUST ME you'll want high quality. I'm really glad we rented because I only needed it for about two months while I was adjusting to breastfeeding and working part-time. I spent WAY less for a much more efficient machine. (We paid $50 a month--and though it may seem hard for you to imagine now, it was worth every penny.)
ReplyDeleteyou think the $300 ones aren't good enough?! yeah I have no idea. I can only assume manual will not last long with me though... I have assumed I'd be forking up the $300ish unless I can somehow get lucky with a gently used one I trust. And with the crib... yeah I just want to wait and see, lol. I seriously want to see what we can get out of the pack and play and maybe by then I'll find a good deal! Your little Eli has some meat to him =) It's just so hard to predict!
Deletehaha! Yes, indeed. He is very healthy. :) But actually he has never been over the 55% in weight, so about average. I have a friend who used a rock and play for much longer. She let eli borrow it and we LOVED it. Check it out:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-Sleeper-Yellow/dp/B002M77N22/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1352781606&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+and+play+sleeper
Also, I don't know if you are registered at Babies-R-Us, but they give 20% off coupons for every small purchase you make. We got so many great deals on a high-quality crib, changing table dresser, mattress, travel system, etc. Twenty percent really adds up. Though it was still more than Jet wished we would have spent of course. :)
And as far as the breast pump goes, you will have to wait and see about that too. My good friend used both and told me to go with the hospital one. She said that for her there was a big difference. The lactation specialist strongly made the same recommendation for several reasons--but she works for the hospital so that probably was a biased opinion. For those reasons, I never used one that you can buy at a store. It may be fine for you. I had a really hard experience with breastfeeding in the beginning--infections, etc--so I don't regret the decision I made to rent a high-quality pump because I needed it. Just something to look into if it turns out to be cheaper for you for the quality. (You'll definitely want an automatic for the first little bit, but then if you plan to breastfeed and not pump generally, a hand pump will be just fine for the once-in-a-while circumstance.) Excited for you! Definitely a whole new world. You'll slowly figure out what works and doesn't. I'm still figuring it out everyday. There is definitely a big learning curve to becoming a mom, but it is so much fun! You'll love it.
Oh yes, my mom had an extra rock&play she got for my cousin she was going to bring up so between that and the swing and the bassinet rocker in the packnplay, hopefully we have enough sleeping options =) My goal is to get what I need and then some of the "bigger" things taken care of... but like you said, so much is just trial & error. And I'm sure Eric will always think we can do with less =)
DeleteWe really like our baby trend jogging stroller, it has a car seat that snaps in.... and our pack 'n play matches. We also got a really inexpensive stroller when she got older to take to the airport.
ReplyDeleteYou know Madison slept in her pack and play till she was about fifteen months old. Someone in the ward gave away a really nice crib, but honestly it didnt really affect her sleeping. I would also recommend the book, "healthy sleep habits happy child". Madison was naturally sleeping well from about three months. However, when we moved into our one bedroom apartment that ended.... They dont appreciate change! For the first couple weeks M. Slept with us, then we moved her into a bassinet (I think they like feeling enclosed when they sleep, then we moved her into the pack and play bassinett, then when she started being able to stand up we moved her the the regular pack and play. Lots of girls I know did that!
If breat feeding is an issue I would buy a pump. Rent one from the hospital for the first week or so and then if there is are problems you can pump. Hand pumps never worked very well for me or women I know, mostly it was used for relieving pressure when you feel like you are going to explode.... etc. For me breast feeding was really hard, Maddie had gerds and she just wouldnt drink, just scream everytime I tried to feed her. However, some are naturals. Just record everything that you would get and send Eric to get your supplies.
I also recommend the lansinoh disposable pads, and lots of nursing bras (one that is comfortable for at night) I would recommend buying the ones that dont make you feel frumpy! There is a lot of laundry, you shouldnt have to worry about bras!
Ha, it is funny how when you are a mother, you just talk about everything, sorry if there is TMI!
Dont forget burp rags, bopee pillow (I tried alternate pillows-did NOT work), pacifiers (if you believe in them), Pads for after your little one is born, a vibrating chair so you can take a shower (my mom trained M. To get used to it). We were given a lot of hand me downs from Greg's sister like a baby swing (real luxury)... Lots of onesies... Best diaper brand for us (try a couple differnt kinds) was pampers, everything else just send poop up Maddies back, which at three a.m. is no picnic. A small lightly dimmed lamp for changing diapers in the middle of the night (so they dont get woken up)..... You have probably heard all this, everyone has an opinion, just do what feels right to you! So excited for you guys, a baby of your own!
I loved all of this! I have several lists at this point =) I like hearing what people like, but I know it's also per the child too. I like your suggestion about the breast pump. I'm starting to do the registries just so I have a list out there of things I need/want so it's great to hear what people have found they really need verse what is just nice to have!
DeleteRemember that one night when I said, "hmmm...maybe I don't want to scare you yet..." Well, remind me to tell you. It will convince you to buy a good pump. Scott will back me up 110% Our pack and play doesn't have the basenet. But I did love the changing pad. I used it up until she was like 3 months old and then I just started using the floor.
ReplyDeleteyeah no doubt I will, but I hadn't heard anyone talk of the hospital ones. and i don't want your story =P
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