baby helps?
Well, things are looking good for the Jackstad family! Garrett recently got a job in Bellevue, WA, and we are looking for a new place nearby (yay for our own spaces and decorating!). We found out our little bun in the oven is a boy, and we are LOVING the name Charlie. He is kicking around inside me like no one's business. I haven't decided if that mean's he's a soccer player, swimmer, ballerina or just a pro wiggler. Either way, I get to find out in 3 months! WOW. Which brings me to the real reason for this post:I need help. It has recently occurred to me that I am having a baby, and those babies typically have needs. Like carseats, strollers, cribs, diapers, etc. It has further occurred to me that I am completely hopeless when it comes to the former items... ie, I'm lost! I've googled it a hundred times and I still don't know which is best--there is so much information out there! So I appeal to all the moms out there: Any tips? I am hungry for advice. Please, please, please let me know all your favorites! Thank you thank you!
and just for good measure, and because i have no current prego pics, here are some dorky ones from our little stint in hawaii in May.
I felt the same way as far as being clueless about those things! I've done TONS of research and asked a lot of mom's and here's what I decided . . . I need to stop stressing! :) My husband and I decided on the Safety 1st infant Car Seat because of the safety ratings and the positive parent reviews. Too many of the others didn't have top safety ratings. If you send me your email address I can email you some of the other things I've found since we're both having our first babies around the same time! :) Or email me . . . kprincess33@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBy the way, this is Katy (Davies) Ray :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out the baby sites like babyzone. Com and product reviews on babies r us are really helpful. There is so much new stuff and it gets cooler every year so what I used and loved is probably an antique by now! Just take it one step at a time and you will do great. My one advice is: simple is better. You are going to be using this stuff day in and day out and sometimes when the baby is grumpy and sometimes you will be grumpy and you don't want something with 9 million buttons and functions at a time like that. Research some things and then go to babies r us and try them out, they will let you pull the strollers down , attach the car seats and try on the baby carriers etc. Good luck you will do great!!! - Ellen corier
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! And I love your blog, btw. As far as baby stuff...from somebody with 4... :) Other than baby shower gifts...the carseat was the only thing we got new (for safety reasons). Now, I might do a bunch of research...but when we were expecting #1 - I think we just found one that looked reasonably well built and was on sale. Really, you don't need much else. With Gideon I made my own 'moby wrap' type thingie...and it was a lifesaver. But...I had a friend who bought the real one for $40...and her baby hated it. We bought the expensive laundry detergent they recommend for babies when we had Elli...used it a couple times...and haven't touched it since. But...I guess if you have a baby with sensitive skin it might be nice? I don't spend much on baby clothes anymore...just whatever is cheapest at DI/garage sales. When they have their first up-the-back-down-the-legs dirty diaper...you understand why :). I love port-a-crib/pack'n'play/whatever you wanna call 'em things...we did that several times (especially when we were not sure we'd be in the same spot for a terribly long time...and...even if we thought we would be. Now that Gideon's bigger and I have to bend down real low to put him in (vs. putting him in the bassinet attachment)...I like them slightly less. However, I try to console myself by considering it exercise...another precious commodity. We got the least with Gideon (Tommy was still recovering from heart surgery...and it just worked out that way)...and I don't really think we missed anything? I'm sure there are lists online that get down to the nitty gritty (i.e. thermometer, x amount of socks, diapers, diaper ointment, onesies, etc.) I wouldn't give him a pacifier for the first month or so...but that's just me...I think it helps them nurse better in the long run (if you plan on nursing). You'll probably find that there are things you'll get and do with your first...that you'll never get/do again. We used to hold the hair dryer over Elli while we'd change her diaper because she didn't like the cold air down there. Now we're mean and expect our kids to cowboy up and deal with it. Anyway...I'm off to bed...before somebody else wakes up :). Good luck! I'm excited to follow the exploits of your little family :)
ReplyDeleteHoly macaroni. That was long. Sorry :p. I kind of rambled. You don't have to read it...I won't be offended!
ReplyDelete- Anna (Heinzen) Griffith -
It can be overwhelming for sure. and the latest and greatest is ALWAYS changing. Trust your gut and don't stress too much, the great thing is that tons of R&D goes into all baby products, so they're mostly good/safe anyway. My biggest regret was spending a ton on the whole travel system. Those strollers are MASSIVE and you really don't need them. find an infant car seat you like (the infant ones are good ones to buy used- cause babies usually grow out of them SO fast) and get a "universal stroller" (google it to know what I'm talking about). Then spend more money on a nice lightweight stroller and convertible car seat that you'll get more use out of when the baby can sit up and support their head. If this doesn't make sense, or you don't know what I'm talking about call me and I'll explain. And remember, babies have been getting by on much less than we think they need for a LONG time.
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