Have to admit it: 50% of baby advice is really helpful and the other 50% falls into the "smile and nod" category. It's a lot to take in especially when it's constant. Sometimes in all the information, I find I miss the important stuff like "Don't register for baby all at once. Make several trips." One would think that this would have stuck with me (blame pregnancy brain) considering that I wrote about how the big box baby stores on the Mainland just about took the Mondos out when we were just browsing during the first trimester.
In all fairness to us, we had limited choices in the matter. We had to register that sweltering Sunday or wait another six weeks or more (we're shockingly busy right now considering our lives as we know it detonate in October).
So when we started out, list in hand, sensibilities in order, little did we know the land of babies would take five hours - count 'em 5! I'll try to be positive about the outcome; we left with a fairly good skeleton of a registry list.
It was insanity people. It took us an hour to get out of the feeding section! Walls upon walls of bottles, nipples, nipple butter (I know, I know it makes me giggle too), spoons, cups, bibs, pumps, etc.
The Best Wish You Were Here Moment:
Mondo: "We need to get you some nipple shields."
Mrs. Mondo: "What? What the hell are nipple shields?"
Mondo: "You don't know what nipple shields are?"
Mrs. Mondo: "You do?!"
But the best was yet to come (okay the crib that was guaranteed in stock that wasn't in stock is a close second). We finally make it back to our fair
The next morning, I go online to check the registries to make sure all is well. Kid you not: almost a quarter of the items we registered for had horrible ratings. Okay, like a onesie isn't a big deal, but for the love of Bettie Brown, the stroller we spent 35 minutes jacking with apparently is the worst thing ever. The front wheel falls off! And let's face it, in Gtown we practically need a Humvee while we wait for some of the City's infrastructure projects to take off. (Ahem
Again, thanks to friends and family, we're gonna be alright. In fact my cousin-in-law
(SuperMom of twins) scoured my lists and sent me more items to register for and what items to delete off the list like 4 sheet savers (we got a little crazy with the registry gun towards the end).
Sometimes I think I just need someone to tell me what to do when it comes to all of this stuff.
Overall, I'd say it's coming together.
There's no way around it -- Baby Registry Day is hell. I spent 5 hours, alone, in BBrUs and told my husband he owed me Dinner at Dibellas for not subjecting him to that special torture!
I'm sure you get plenty of great advice... I'll throw in my two cents just for fun:
1. Reviews are subjective, get what will work best for you!
2. Thermometers -- it doesn't matter where it goes really (ear, mouth, underarm or hiney), the key is to get one with the shortest wait time for results! Kids are wiggly, so the faster the better. Vicks makes an 8-second oral/rectal that is great. You can get it at most any drug store (even on the island!).
Thanks Felicity!
I agree with you on reviews - some were hilarious like "my daughter didn't like it" so they give the item 1 star. Unfortunately the stroller we picked had tons of bad reviews about the front wheel falling off.
That is fantatic advice on the thermometer! I so didn't think about the wiggle factor! Thank you! :)
Lauren,
before I registered, I put the master registry together on Amazon, just so I could check the ratings as I registered. I'm that kind of dork.
My advice is to not listen to anyone who hasn't had a child in the last 3 years! The last time I bought baby stuff was for a niece and nephew (spaced several years apart). I swear that there were new and improved items out between the two. I don't envy you!!
Of course, now I spend my time pining over pink Princess stuff. ;-D I just can't seem to help myself!
Kristen - that's a great idea. Of course my problem is/was that I'm a "visual" person, so I felt like I needed to see my options. Dorks unite! :)
Haha, KMo! I know you're pining away. :)
Lisa is the personal registry assistant at BRU. She works by appointment only and it is a free "personal shopper" service (making recomendations, tailoring to your needs, answering questions, etc) she literally walks around the store WITH you. To late for you Lauren, yikes! But maybe it will help someone else. Better ice those ankles!
Set your own life more easy take the credit loans and all you want.