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.