Sunday, February 22, 2009

Makin' a List

Today I took on the ultimate challenge. Registering. Those aisles that made me cry just eight months ago now scare the bajeezus out of me. I tried to get avoid it by just doing the online thing - but I quickly found out that most of the crap available online can only be ordered online. And let's be honest, how many people buy baby shower gifts in advance. I have to believe that most are like me...running to the store on the way to the party, shoving the stuff in a gift bag and scribbling a note in the card while sitting in the driveway.

There is just so much crap! All the stores, websites, magazines tell you have to have all this stuff. I refuse to believe it. Yet no amount of research has left me with the confidence to choose what type of bottle? What type of carrier? A swing or a bouncer? Or both? There is just so much guilt associated with spending a ton of money on something that'll only get used for a few months. My mom has reassured me that babies don't need much. Yet, here I am, feeling like I'll be a horrible parent if I don't get the HUGE packnplay or the Bum.bo.

I recruited my friend Melissa who happens to have four of the loveliest children ever. I figured, she if anyone would know the difference between nice to have and must have stuff. I bribed her with a lunch date, and then we hit tarjay and BabiesR.US (a.k.a. HELL). It was so nice to have someone who just pointed and said - use that one! That's crap! Those are useless! You'll go insane if you don't have one of those! And now, if I chose the wrong one, I can blame it on her.

12 comments:

just me, dawn said...

thanks for visiting my blog! and for reminding me to be thankful for infertility coverage. I used to live in seattle and LOVED it....but guess I should try and finish this off here, before we move back :)
congrats on registering!
*ICLW*

MNRN said...

I too went registering this weekend. Looking in those aisles used to make me so happy, thinking about what I would register for....Now it's just overwhelming. Luckily, my sister is pregnant and due 5 days after me, so we muddled through together. How weird to actually be needing baby stuff! Laura

Petrucia said...

that's awesome that you have such an insider to help you out at picking stuff. I have a bunch of friends who just had babies... and it's always a trial and error thing for them to find out what works it seems. I also believe there's too much stuff out there... but some of them ought to make mom's lives easier!

Marie said...

I am having the same problem. I went to babies r us this weekend and almost had an insecure meltdown lol.

areyoukiddingme said...

Registering is tough work...even with help. There's just so much stuff! Glad you made your way through.

areyoukiddingme said...

Registering is tough work...even with help. There's just so much stuff! Glad you made your way through.

ME! said...

Good luck! I remember my mother basically just got some bottles/diapers and binkies when my little brother was born in 1986. Of course we were extremly poor, and that was the reason..but he turned out okay!!!
I am here through ICLW.
My profile is blocked, but my website is www.ttc-wildride.blogspot.com

*T* said...

Good luck with the registry- they can be lots of work! Have fun! :-)

Mijke said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!

As a mother of (IVF) twins (why do I still feel I have to add the "IVF" to it? As if I want to excuse myself for having TWO babies? As if I want to shout out: "I had to work hard for them! They didn't just get dropped of by some drunk stork!" As if (finally) being a mother (after years of IF) is actually something I have to feel guilty for? See? I'm doing it again...) I can promise you that even if you fill your house with everything from playpens to bouncer seats to swings, the only place your baby will feel safe and happy those first couple of months will be in your arms. It will probably be the only place s/he will fall asleep, and the only place where s/he'll not cry.

No matter what miracles those manufacturers promise you, all you really need is your love, your arms, your voice and a shitload of cloth diapers to wipe the spit off of your baby. And your shoulder. And the floor. And everything else you've been in contact with...

That said, there's nothing wrong with letting other people buy you stuff that looks pretty and promises to provide you with a quietly sleeping or happily playing or fast learning baby. As long as they buy you some cloth diapers as well...

*ICLW*

ps Did I mention the cloth diapers?

Brenna said...

I'm so happy to meet you, via my blog and ICLW (thank you for your sweet comments and for reading our whole story--wow! And yes, I do the sketches in pencil :) ). It's great to pop over here and to read such a hope-inducing post about a momma-to-be registering for her babies' items. I hope to be there with you some day, and to have my own Melissa to advise and guide me! (I guess that'd be my younger sister, currently pregant with #3...) I'll have to pop back by here to see how you're doing as things progress. Best wishes for a smooth and easy pregnancy~
Brenna

ME said...

Oooh, that was smart that you took a been-there-done-that-er. I went with my husband and we were in BRU for TWO HOURS! It was actually a little fun but we were kind of lost. I was going over my registry with a co-worker who made some suggestions which is good....wish I had that earlier!

Beautiful Mess said...

I hope you had a good time with your friend and got what you needed without the guilt. That HUGE store makes me dizzy, I hate going in there. Congrats on crossing things off your list!
*ICLW*