baby blog

My friend Angela sent me a link to this article. One of the things I like best about Angela is that she tells it like it is.

The Parent Trap

I’ve found some interesting wall decor for a nursery…

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-UNDO-DL-1

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-UNDO-DL-2

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=TH-103

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-404-SP

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=TH-106

http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=TH-101

Too bad they don’t make these for grownups. I’d be all over this!

http://prissypoofs.com/

Actually, these would be really simple and cheap to make. Much less than the posted price of $30. But I’m not sure if tulle is machine washable…

I’ve been doing some research about what is really needed for a nursery. Since most nursery furniture is used for a limited time, I think IKEA is probably our choice for furniture.

Cribs:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60108663

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60077355

Toy box:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40108659

Changing table/dresser … I’m not certain about this item. I would prefer that the drawers have a safety rail to keep them from pulling out all the way, and I’m not sure this dresser is built that way. It does strap to the wall, though.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19842534

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79838765

 And then there are cute knickknacks:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10124731

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60107809

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30107797

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50097943

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50072886

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80021008

The other indispensable nursery item is a glider/rocker. I was skeptical about this too, since we went to great lengths to find a nice retro rocker a couple of years ago. But after hearing how much time will be spent rocking, I guess a glider with padded arms is indispensable. Too bad they’re so ugly!

My research indicates that Dutailer is the leader in this industry.

Target sells a few models:
http://www.target.com/Dutailier-Ultramotion-Sleigh-Glider-Ottoman/dp/B00008US2U/sr=1-10/qid=1205677710/ref=sr_1_10/602-9876380-3503832?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Adutailier&page=1

The completely upholstered models seem to be gaining popularity and could be used in a room other than the nursery…

http://glider-rockers.babycatalog.com/Dutailier-glider-rockers/stock-program-rocker/stkpro-150103.html

but they’re not all cheap…
http://glider-rockers.babycatalog.com/Dutailier-glider-rockers/Dutailier-upholstered-rocker-724130/724130reg.html

 Oh, yes, according to the Baby Bargains book, Colgate has the best crib mattresses.

http://www.colgatekids.com/products/foam_mattresses/
of course, I’ll have to go to this cute store in Edina (Cribz) to purchase one…

Future daddy and I walked through Target this weekend and ventured into a new section…the baby department. We started looking at strollers and carseats and I broke out in a cold sweat. There are so many choices and I feel like I have enough decisions to make, so I delegated the whole carseat/carrier/stroller decision to my hubby. Ahhhh, what a relief.

 Of course, he’s doing research online and comparing several brands. My mother has recommended the Orbits travel system as “the brand the movie stars use.”

So, I’ve been reading three pregnancy books at once, and I recently finished them. I read the chapters on labor last, and, honestly, I really freaked myself out by reading them! It is bad, people, even when it is considered easy! But there are a lot of grisly, physical events (before, during, and after) that you might not know of. I’m not going into details, but say goodbye to your dignity, your muscle tone, and your ability to hold it until the next rest stop…

 And just as I was getting over the books, I attended a party where all of the women had already enjoyed the fluid-filled route to motherhood. They had a lot of fun describing their individual labors, while I sat with my teenage nephew, playing Jenga and both trying so hard not to hear their conversation.

That said, they were full of other good information; very kind and helpful. But yikes, nobody wants to know that the water that breaks isn’t just clear water, and about your mucus plug. Eww.

 BTW, we played a great game at the party called Curses. I haven’t laughed so hard in years, and I was completely sober!

Links and why I like them. In no particular order.

http://www.blissliving.com/all-designer-baby-diaper-bags.html

Great diaper bags in prices ranging from reasonable to scandalous. Check out the dadgear diaper vest. 

More awesome diaper bags. I like the mothership. http://www.fleurville.com/products/mothership.html

Cool shoes.

A good local store. Baby on Grand

New coat.

My friend Lori was kind enough to write down some words of advice regarding baby stuff. Here’s what she said…

—————- what you’ll need NOW —————

Right now, you’ll need one combo of car seat + stroller.

They come in weight ranges… newborn +. My advice is to keep it light. YOu’ll be hauling baby around in this thing by the handle and the lighter the carseat, the happier you’ll be. So if the car seat says it can handle a wider range of baby weights (newborn to 210 lbs, for example), you’re not getting a bargain. You’re getting a pain. Keep it light. You’ll need to get another car seat later (when baby is bigger) anyway.

Britax is highly recommended. They’re expensive but really safe, really easy, really good.

I’ve also heard Graco has some nice ones.

I had a Peg Perego. They also seem good and safe.

Oh and make sure that it has a rating for an airplane seat as well. Most of them (probably all of them) do, but doesn’t hurt to make sure.

Some of the sets come with two bases, or the option to get an extra base (the base is the part that stays strapped into the car when you lift out the car seat with baby sleeping inside it). This is a good feature if you have two cars, because then you don’t have to re-install the base every time you want to take baby in a different car.

—————-what you’ll need LATER —————

Ok, later, you’ll need a separate car seat and stroller.

Car seats:

Britax makes a lovely car seat that covers a wide range of weights (the one I got goes up to 70 lbs… pretty impressive). Love it love it love it. You’re looking at $250 for this lovely item.

Strollers:

Maclaren Volo is my favorite stroller of all time. It’s lightweight, easily collapses with one hand, extremely maneuverable, is fairly adjustable, has a wide weight range, and (at least the one I got) looks good. Not the largest spot underneath for carrying gear, but as an all-around stroller, it’s the best. I looked around on Target for the one I got but they don’t seem to sell that design at Target anymore (very sad). They run about $99.

We also (pre-Volo) got a modified jogging stoller… has bigger wheels… the idea being that it’d be easier in the snow. This is true, but honestly, how many times does one take a stroller walk out in the heavy snow? Turns out not so much. The volo is fine on a shoveled walk (I was very impressed).

—————- REGISTRY —————

My recommendation is to register for EVERYTHING. The wider range you have (from little blankies to car seats) the better… some people can’t spend much and some people are so happy they’ll buy baby a whole home theater system.

Items I recommend to put on your registry:

- Diapers (hey, you’ll need ‘em) - Huggies for daytime (they’re cheaper), Pampers for nighttime (more expensive but hold more at night — critical).
- changing pad
- changing pad covers (2 - 3)
- receiving blankets - get a ton of these; very helpful. they’re cheap and easy to wash when messes happen; and they’ll happen a lot.
- little washcloths - also really helpful for messes; stick a bunch in the diaper bag and you’re covered.
- Pacifiers - get a few different kinds. Babies are weird and may only like one type and it’s good to have options.
- Papasan swing - the papasan swings both ways (front to back and side to side). Life saver. ‘Nuff said.
- Big receiving blankets from Ikea. For effective swaddling, it’s hard to find a blankie with the right dimensions; most are too small. Ikea provides ones that are just the right size.
- Glider chair - saved our lives. Get one with padded armrests. You’ll be using those armrests.
- Boppy nursing pillow - even if you don’t nurse, it’s really great for holding baby in a supported way, especially if they fall asleep on you. Plus it’s great to put on your head and pretend it’s a lion’s mane.
- Mattress pads - 2
- Crib bumper - a controversial subject (as most baby products are) but we liked it; Cam rolls all over when he sleeps and the bumper saved him from bonking himself on the hard crib edges, plus, no unattractive lines on the face from pressing up against the crib rails.
- Crib sheets - 2 flannel, 3 regular
- Warm blankies - 3 thick, soft, warm blankies. One for bed, one for stroller, one for the couch
- Sleep sack - Generally you don’t use a blankie in the crib until they’re one (to prevent SIDS). So to keep ‘em warm, use a sleep sack. It’s a zippered pouch that is safe but warm.
- Breast pump - If you’re gonna nurse, get a motorized one. Whether or not you work, if you want to ever leave the house without baby, you’ll need to have some pumped milk to leave behind. Manual pumps are torture devices.
- Onesies (of course). You’ll need a ton of these.
- Sun hat with big brim
- baby sunscreen
- Thermometer - register for an expensive ear one. who wants to take a temp the hard way?
- Hyland’s teething gel - it’s all natural (not like Orajel) and WORKS. Miracle. And you can find it at Walgreen’s.
- Lansinoh (if you nurse). It’s soothing for um… Tatas.
- Boudreaux’s Butt Paste - The Best Ever. Period.
- Wipes. I recommend the unscented sensitive skin ones from Huggies. Their dispenser (the box) is good too. Don’t like the Pampers one. Bleh.
- Nursing bras - Tatas are gonna be sore. Take good care of them. I can’t remember the ones I got but totally worth it. I’ll look into this and get back to you.
- Nursing pads - If you nurse or not, you’ll need them at least for a little while. Don’t need to give an unexpected wet t-shirt show.
- Play yard - some come with changing pads on ‘em. A good deal. Get one that’s sturdy on the bottom. Eventually baby will be jumping in that bad boy.
- Play mat - Tiny Love (it’s a brand) has a pretty good one.

—————- NURSING —————

- Go to a class.
- Get a lactation consultant. Nothing helps better. You can read every word ever written on the subject and nothing can take the place of someone coming in and helping. Methodist offers them as part of your visit. Take advantage.
- Nursing is awesome. If you can do it, it’s really cool (and cheap). Formula is expensive.
- I have a lot more about this later.
 

Well, it is official: we’re having a baby! That means our junk drawer will be even fuller than ever and the contents of our home will become at least 50% plastic. Take a look at our little packrat.