The kid thread: Planning, pregnancy & parenting

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Don't register for a ton of clothing unless it is generics like Gerber Onesies packages. Baby clothes go out of season just as fast as adult clothes do so what you find now may not be available when the shower arrives.

I had this happen with several clothing items. Not a huge deal but if you have your heart set on a particular item get it yourself when you see it, don't wait and hope someone will buy it for you off the registry.

[mom2-4monkeys]

i went crazy when putting things on my registry. I too was overwhelmed and tired and cranky so i just took the littler scanner thing and scanned pretty much EVERYTHING. Then every day i would go online and take things off wonder why in God's name did i choose that. then i would add stuff based on the reviews. Check and see what items were already bought. I had so much crap on my list. Thinking back i would have much rather gift cards. I found that the stuff i "need" i would have never thought of and ran out at the last minute to get it.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Same here. I got overloaded and started scanning things like swings and the travel system.

If I had to do it again I would have not put on things like that and instead put stuff like Playtex Drop Ins, cloth diapers, more wash rags (DH always seems to lose them all) etc.

With clothes I found that people will buy you what THEY want to buy you. Be prepared to have to go out and get a few items. Some outfits are really cute but you may find that what you get just is not practical. The ttle tutu outfits were cute, but NOT something I wanted to get her in and out of when she projectile vomited.

Then Gwen was in newborn clear till 3 months and we didn't get a ton of newborn items that weren't cutesy like the above.

Then since she was born in the summer there wasn't really anything winter out yet. So I've had to purchase her fall/winter wardrobe so she doesn't freeze her behind off.

[mom2-4monkeys]

The little tutu outfits were cute, but NOT something I wanted to get her in and out of when she projectile vomited.

LOL! I know exactly what you mean. All of my kids wore pretty much a onesie/sleeper for the first 3 months. I got so much clothes for them. I wasn't thinking with the first one's i ripped off the tags, washed them, put them away etc. With the second 2 i kept the tags on them, with the gift receipt attached, and never washed before they wore something! When they puked, i just pulled something new out of the closet!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

My MIL pulled off all the tags and washed everything for me. Just as well because if I did not get a gift recipet I couldn't return them anyhow. I know a few had those but they went missing when MIL decided to "help".

I do the same thing now with clothes all the tags stay on until I make sure htey fit and I keep the recipet. If it fits when I put it on her the tag comes off and she wears it.

[muttleynfelix]

I just registered online. It is so easy. You can look at the reviews and just add stuff when we had the time. Plus you could look at reviews while you did it. But I am a total online shopper and living in the country I find it so much easier just to order things online than figure out when I am going to go back into town or go after work and miss time with DH and DS.

[Deleted]

Wow, so much has happened since the last time I logged in. We were still on page 2!

Congrats Regina and Guista. Your babies are both so adorable!
Good luck to all of the upcoming due dates. It seems like time is flying by.

Ladyki - It is great that Kiani is rolling over. A is almost 6 months and she still has zero desire to roll over

As others have mentioned, we had a snow storm last weekend and got 7 inches in North Alabama, which is a lot for here. My city pretty much shut down for the entire week. My daycare did open late on Wednesday, which was great because we were stuck in our house with my FIL that DH hadn't seen or talked to in 10 years (that is another story though). When I was walking through the parking lot on what I thought was snow, I slipped and fell carrying A and came so close to landing on her. It was horrifying. 2 men in the parking lot saw and came to help and slipped and fell next to me. It was insane! They scraped the parking lot and it froze over again and was so slippery. They ended up having to close the parking lot and you had to park at the building next door and walk across a field. We kept A out on Friday because of it. I, along with a lot of other parents, feel that we pay way too much to have to deal with that. We all complained to the owners and hope that if this ever happens again, they will handle the problem better than this time.

Aside from that, A has started teething. She is only fussy at night but she still goes to sleep at 6:30, but has started waking up 2 times a night. She can also now sit up on her own!

[eternal sunshine]

Oh I hope you guys don't think I'm trying to buy the world

Things on my "need to buy" list: Stroller (baby jogger city min) and the car seat adapter for it, when I say "diaper pail" I mean a wet/dry bag to put our cloth diapers in before they hit the wash, a second car seat base for DH's car, a baby monitor, crib mattress, bassinet for our room (Pack and Play is staying down stairs for daytime naps), bottles (we have ZERO), and if I had my wish a ring sling as well. Those are my "must buy" items. I got a small diaper bag for the shower. Not exactly my style, but I think it will be FINE for the short term at least. I'm also thinking of a swing or bouncy seat, but not one of the big tall ones, one of the foldable little ones so we could take it up or down stairs as needed. The one I registered for was pretty inexpensive and folded for travel.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Don't buy a ton of bottles, it's going to be trial and error which ones Cole will like. I have four different types of bottles at home that I either need to give away to someone or donate. She settled on Playtex Drop-Ins.

Buy one/two bottles of a brand or two you prefer and then wait. Yeah it'l mean you'll do a lot of bottle washing but it beats buying a ton only to find out Cole doesn't like Tommy Tippee (or whatever brand you choose) and now you got 4-5 bottles you need to find a place for.

[kgb18]

Hi ladies! I'm going to try to catch up and comment.

First tooth -- I didn't find Avery's first tooth, our 6-year-old neice found it. No one believed her, so they didn't tell me. Then my mom found her tooth. I felt like a terrible mom, but she had no signs or symptoms of teething for that first one.

Cleaning Services -- I've had a cleaning lady for about three years now. It's wonderful. She comes twice a month. She does a great job. She does our hardwood floors on her hands and knees. She even cleans the toothbrush holder in the bathroom. I Shark the floors and spot clean between her visits.

Baby clothes -- While Avery did wear a lot of onesies and sleep sacks, we were also out and about quite a bit, so she did wear a lot of "real clothes" during her first few months. I was not one of those moms who sat at home my entire maternity leave. Admittedly, I love clothes, and I love having a girl. Even now she has a ton of clothes. People buy for her, but I do too. I can't help myself. I also buy ahead when things go on sale. Old Navy has these really comfy jersey pants for babies. They were $3 a pair online last week, so I ordered a bunch in a bunch of sizes.

Travel System -- We have one. I like it. But that's just me.

Bottles -- We used Dr. Brown's. We never had to switch.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I think I would have liked the travel system if it wasn't 35 lbs. That's way more than I want to be trying to lug out of the trunk every time I want to use it alone. I like our little Snugride a lot better.

We went thru Dr. Browns, Playtex Ventaire (which works but our stupid dog ate the seals) and then an Avent one that supposedly mimicked my boob (yeah right)

Playtex Drop Ins ended up being the ones she liked best AND we liked best.

[eternal sunshine]

I've been told to try the Dr. Browns and my friends with twins LOVE their Tommy Tippee bottles. I was planning to get just a couple of each. I plan to try to breastfeed exclusively for 3 weeks to establish a good latch before moving to pumping for some feedings. I wanted to have 4 bottles in the house in case my milk doesn't come in right and we need them immediately. I think I can handle washing a few extra times for a few days until DH can run out and get some more of whichever is the preference. If breastfeeding works fine then we won't even be trying them for 3 weeks so we will have time to go out later and get more.

[eternal sunshine]

drama - I really didn't want a travel system. I had 2 big reasons for this. 1) DH and I mostly work different schedules so we will often be out and about alone. The stroller we registered for is light and folds with one hand. There is a fabric handle in the seat that you grab and when you lift up the stroller it folds right in half. Perfect for me if I am by myself. Put Cole's carseat in the base and I don't have to turn away for a long time trying to fold and store the stroller. I just put him in grab the handle, lift and stick in the car. 2) DH and I both drive regular cars so we don't have lots of extra storage space for a bulky system. The city mini folds practically flat so I'm not filling up the trunk with a stroller and then having to fit grocery bags all around COle in his carseat. I will still have useful trunk space both beside and on top of the stroller.

[kgb18]

Our travel system does take up a lot of space, but I have a car with a decent sized cargo area. And we did buy a smaller stroller if we need to leave one for my MIL or for long car trips where we need more cargo space. I thought my MIL would hate the big stroller because she's a tiny lady, but she actually likes the big one better. I think she feels like it's sturdier and that Avery is safer in it.

[muttleynfelix]

I can count the number of times on one hand I have used a stroller other than walks at home. Seriously we've used a stroller 3 times in a year other than walks at home and even those have been more limited than I thought they would be. We've taken it to the zoo and nature center (the Bob) and I sed an umbrella stroller one day out garage saling.

[kgb18]

I must go out a lot more than the average mom. I used our stroller quite a bit. My other mom friends and I met at the mall and walked many Saturdays last winter/spring. When the weather got nice we met out for lunch or dinner and walked around town. DH and I use it when we go to the mall. I use the Ergo quite a bit too, but mostly for grocery shopping or short walking trips, especially now that she's getting heavy.

[jenna30]

I loved open ended gowns though, so easy to just pull them up and change her.

And I'm not a fan... trying to pull clothing over Baby E's head is just not worth the battle. He lives in sleepers w/feet that zip up or snap. Much easier to get him dressed and change diapers (than 2-3 piece clothing sets.)

[jenna30]

With clothes I found that people will buy you what THEY want to buy you.

Quoted for Truth.

We got a couple of expensive, baby boutique type outfits as gifts. They just aren't practical right now. There's also no gift receipts included. I'd love to be able to exchange them for cuter outfits for when he's older, but I won't bother since they would need to be shipped back.

Baby E is 5 weeks old, and he's going to be wearing size 3-6 mo soon. Most of his 0-3 mo sleepers fit him perfectly right now or are too small (Gerber sleepers from Target run small.)

I keep the tags on his clothes until he wears them. I actually returned a bunch of stuff I had picked out - and chose to buy more sleepers. I'm going for "easy" over fashionable.

[jenna30]

We got the Snap n go stroller that should work with our Graco Snugride 35. It's been so cold, I haven't used the stroller, yet. We are currently sharing one family vehicle w/an infant car seat, so I'm usually at home while hubby drives his SUV. My car is a sportier 2 door, and I really don't want hubby driving it, nor do I want to drive his monster SUV.

* Last fall, I was going to get a Honda CRV, but decided to wait once some unexpected hospital bills popped up in October. I also missed a few weeks of work due to that unexpected hospital stay. That put a crimp in our budget.

**Now LO and I each may need minor surgery, so I'm glad I waited before buying a new vehicle. I hate having debt (learned my lessen during my twenties) and I want to pay off hospital bills before taking on a car note.

[ladyki]

stare- I agree with Garden. I started my registry at the stores ( walmart and Target) but ended up just finishing them online. It was so much easier to look at everything that the stores offer that they not have at the stores locally. It was also very helpful toread the reviews.

Changing tables- A friend gave me a used one, but was missing some parts, lol. I really did not want to buy one so I just bought a matching dresser to the crib and attached the changing matress. I have it in Kiani's room, where she does not sleep yet. I think I have only used it about three times, the rest of the times I have changed her on my bed.

[starearedkid]

I do agree with that. I did want to just start it in store, but pretty much finish it online. I went online when I got home and I edited a bunch of things--especially due to ratings.

My husband had the scanner though, and had disappeared for awhile--so it was completely interesting to see what HE added to it. Some things were completely unnecessary.

We did add a bunch of onesies though, plain white ones and various colors. I know people will get you outfits that they want to get you. Actually one of my closest friends sent me an adorable giraffe outfit from gymboree--but I was excited to see that she got it in the 6-12 month size, that way baby girl will be able to wear it next winter. It is a nice winter outfit. My husband also has been buying 6-12 month winter outfits on clearance now that he likes as well. We figure she will be 6 months in November; and even if she is small--by mid January; when it is the coldest, those she fit perfectly. And if she is big--they will still fit in the early part of the season.

I also heard from people that many of the things given are either newborn or 0-3 month outfits; but not much that is bigger than that. So while they are on clearance we are trying to find ones we like.

[ladyki]

Jan 17, 2011 16:37:48 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Don't buy a ton of bottles, it's going to be trial and error which ones Cole will like. I have four different types of bottles at home that I either need to give away to someone or donate. She settled on Playtex Drop-Ins.

I never had a problem with Kiani. I was breasfeeding her and bottle feeding her from the very beggining. I just bought her the playtex-dropins and she has been okay with them ever since.

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 17, 2011 18:55:44 GMT -5 jenna30 said:

I loved open ended gowns though, so easy to just pull them up and change her.

And I'm not a fan... trying to pull clothing over Baby E's head is just not worth the battle. He lives in sleepers w/feet that zip up or snap. Much easier to get him dressed and change diapers (than 2-3 piece clothing sets.)

Ditto that. DS has probably spent 90% of his life in footed sleepers.

[Lizard Queen]

I just wanted to say Hi to everyone. Congratulations to the new moms and new moms to be out there!

I fell behind on reading the posts, and its literally taken me months to catch up on what I missed. I hope you don't mind if I jump in every now and then. I can't do message boards at work, so I fall behind quickly during the week.

I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I was on the old board but haven't posted much since I went back to work. DS is 10 1/2 months old now, and is starting to stand on his own. It's been an adventure!

To join the conversation, what I really wish I had when DS was born was some newborn clothes. Michael was way smaller than we expected: 6-3, and he swam in all the 0-3 month stuff and even some of the newborn sized clothing. I literally had 1 onsie and one sleeper that fit him when he was born. He looked so tiny and pathetic in all those huge for him clothes! (He was in the small sizes for what seemed like forever, practically skipped the 6-9 month sizes and now 12 month tops are a bit snug.) So, I would suggest getting a few more than I had for even the newborn sizes, but keep receipts and tags on.

For the 1st few months, DS slept in the mini pack-n-play/bassinet and also this Eddie Bauer bouncinette (I'm not sure you can buy them any more). I never got a travel system either, I found a great deal for a lightweight (not umbrella) Graco stroller that worked with the Graco Snugride we already had. I wanted to get a bigger, fancier stroller later, but haven't found a good enough reason to fork over the $$. I still haven't used our monitor, though I'm sure it would have come in handy. We hardly used the really nice swing we got, but used the small hand-me-down travel one a lot. We have a bottle warmer that is really nice and use all the time--never bothered with a wipe-warmer though. DS might have liked to have had one though, since he was born at the end of February and hated to be changed. He lived in the footed sleepers for the 1st couple of months as well.

ETA: I actually use my big diaper bag the most. We have an insulated lunch tote that fits all the bottles and baby food, that goes along with DS to daycare, and it seems easier to put it in there than to carry 2 separate bags. For long days out, it also fits several toys. I guess it just depends on what we're doing and how long we'll be out--which bag to bring.

[econstudent]

Hi milizard, I remember you! I didn't post much before I got pregnant (still don't post a ton, actually), so you may not remember me.

Maggie had her 1 month checkup yesterday (Monday). She is 11 pounds, 12 ounces. She has gained 4 pounds since birth. She is in the 99th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference. She is a good little eater!! So as far as sizes to buy, it's hard to say...she fit perfectly in newborn stuff at birth, but she is almost too long for 0-3 month stuff already.

[jenna30]

Econ - you have us beat by about 8oz.

He was 75th percentile at his one month.

[econstudent]

We have some good-sized babies, Jenna! I did wonder if they took into account that she was a week behind on getting her one month check up - she was actually one month + one week. Babies grow 1-2 pounds a month for the first six months, so she could have easily gained 8 oz. in that week.

[gardenergirl]

milizard - welcome back! Wow, I can't believe DS is 10 1/2 months. Olivia just turned 10 months yesterday, when was your DS born again? I forgot our LO were so close in age.

econ - wow! Maggie is growing like a weed!! 99th, that's great!!!

kgb - I love those pants from ON! I missed the sale though last week, dangit! I bought Olivia 2 pairs in 6-12 month size to try them out a while back. I wish I had ordered more now. They are super cute and comfy.

jmrs - OUCH! I hope you weren't hurt when you fell. I fell not this last snow storm but the one a couple weeks ago in my driveway. My legs flew up in the air and I was on my back, hitting my head before I knew it! It hurt!! I was so glad I wasn't carrying Olivia. Glad A is doing good and sitting up! That's awesome!!

I never bothered with those fancy outfits when Olivia was born either. She was in onesies and footed sleepers most of the time. Except for Sunday service, then I'd put her in these cute dresses, but so many times she'd puke all over them before we even got out the door!

I do love my travel system too though. It's heavy but it's easy to work and we use it a lot. I took a lot of walks with her when I was on maternity leave and we use it now sometimes when we go shopping, mainly the mall.

[Deleted]

My sisters and friends buy A very dressy, cute clothes, but she only wears them for church or when they are around. She lives in footed onsies, especially in this weather.

I'm at 25 lbs below my pre preg weight and am stuck. I need a goal to work toward and ads for the Georgia half marathon have been popping up in my city and while I think that is way too soon, my goal is to do either that or the Nashville half marathon next year. Here's hoping that working toward this will help me lose the last 20-30 lbs I would like to lose. I lost a ton of weight while breastfeeding but since I've stopped, I haven't lost anything and my appetite hasn't really gone down so I'm trying to be care what I eat. Any workout tips? It is hard because I have to work out at 4:30 am or else it doesn't happen. I'm going to try and hit the gym on my lunch breaks, but I usually spend that time running errands. DH started school last week so he'll be gone 2 nights a week so I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do.

[stina72]

Eternal-I'm glad your baby shower went well!

Ins-Sounds like everything is getting set up for you to work from home, I hope you can get your space organized just how you want it!

Jenna-So glad to hear Baby E had a great check-up!

Econ-Wonderful news on Maggie's check-up as well!

Mili-Welcome!

KRR-I'm out this cycle too. I held out and didn't test because I had a feeling this wasn't our month and started spotting over the weekend at 13 DPO. Oh well, onto the next month! DH and I have opposite schedules (DH works a weird shift of 6-11 p.m., with a couple hours of prep work for his shift beforehand) so it makes it a little difficult to DTD, but I think we're going to try EOD this month and see how that goes. Good luck to you this month, I am really hoping to hear about your BFP soon!

jmrs-I hope you are doing ok after your fall. RE: working out, I really want to join a center and swim. I have a friend who did a ten day iron man (some ridiculous amount of swimming, running and biking in ten days) and he said swimming laps gave him a great workout, working out numerous muscles and being great cardio.

RE: stuff. I have so many friends that have children, so I have been able to see what sometimes you buy but then never use. It is great to get more perspective on that front though from you guys. As a first time parent, I am sure I would go hog wild if it weren't for my friends and you guys giving me a realistic point of view!