Tuesday, March 10, 2015

A Candid Baby Registry Of Sorts

First off, I apologize for any and all baby showers I have attended in my life. I picked them out some really cute stuff, but I had no clue how important it was to follow the registry. Mom's are picky, have their own style for baby, NEED specific things, and cringe at the thought of nine million newborn outfits when baby may not even fit in them by the time they make an appearance. It's even worse for the military moms...the thought of moving all the 'crap' we get is giving me nightmares. But don't get it twisted. I will take EVERYTHING you give me. I just prefer a receipt to go with it just in case *winkwink.

To make my life your life easier friends and family that have asked us what to get, I've created a comprehensive registry of MUST haves here for you. If you want to know what we really need/want, just follow this list and avoid boutique ruffle pant suits {BLEH} and all things PINK. Mint, Amethyst, Mustard = winners. Pink = heck to the nope. Yes, I know I will have to get used to pink, but I sure as heck don't have to start off with it. Tell me these colors aren't just as fun and more 'us':



Also important to note, we have acquired a few things already that you can skip over. We are so incredibly blessed to have my Portuguese FIL making us a bassinet, we have the privilege of using the rocking horse and changing table that my grandfather handcrafted for me when I was a baby, blankets from all the grandmas, and my other grandparents have bought us a crib and glider set. Since we are moving this year, I would have just bought a pack'n play and called it a day, but who am I to say no to all these fabulous free things...To say the least, we are overwhelmed with the family support.

Potential Nursery Set up:

If you don't care for the specifics, we are registered at Target, Amazon, and Babies 'R Us (I hate Babies 'R Us, which is a story for a different day), but either way, I suggest ordering online. They actually make it super difficult by having different things at different stores, so as long as you can get free/discounted shipping it's WAY easier. Don't forget Craigslist either. I am completely fine with gently used items. As long as it's on our list, I should add.

*For Non-Bloggers, links to the products are purple. Click the link and it will take you to the exact item! I tried to choose the best price/most wanted of the three registries for each link, but feel free to search whichever registry you prefer.*

NEEDS, or at least what I think we 'need':
Graco Travel System I love anything convertible/transitional, so this is a must. Car seat and stroller in one wins in my book, and this is one of the only sets that met all of our needs.
Car Seat Protector
The Coolest High Chair Ever
Baby Monitor
Baby Einstein DVD Set When I worked at the gym daycare, these DVD's were my secret to keeping the babies from crying when their mom's left. I am most definitely claiming them as a need. Amazon has it used too!
Baby clothes and Swaddlers To reiterate...NO PINK.
Crib Sheets Any lavender, sage, mint, ivory, white, etc will do!
Changing Pad and Cover
Breast Pump These babies are expensive, so used it A-OKAY. Hint: There's one for sale on the Fort Rucker Classifieds site that a few could go in on ;) (Tricare doesn't cover)
GIFT CARDS. I would have put diapers and wipes, but that would mean we could end up with nine million newborn diapers or have to move those diapers with us very soon. If you would like to donate to our diaper fund, then gift cards are the shizz. I really don't want to come off greedy, but I want people to know that I won't think you insincere for going the gift card route.

WANTS:

My #1: This GORGEOUS Chandelier Table Lamp. We move from rental to rental, so this is something to jazz up the room without having to paint or change light fixtures. That makes it practically a need. I neeeeeeed this ;)
Will's #1: The safest and most efficient Jogging Stroller you've ever seen. First, let me say that it's NOT cheap, and as such we have NO problem with a used BOB off Craigslist. Also, this could be an item to go in on with a group. We have researched extensively and this is the only one that has the best safety features, rubber tires, locking wheels, etc. that would make us feel safe running with her, which we will most definitely be doing as soon as she's strong enough to hang.


Pack 'n Play or Travel Crib
Bumbo
BOOKS

Precious Moments
Berenstein Bears
Guess How Much I Love You
The Tale Of Peter Rabbit
Tikki Tikki Tembo
The Story Of Babar
Stone Soup
Puff The Magic Dragon
Pippi Longstock
Princess And The Pea
Baby Belluga and Hello, Baby Beluga
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly


Disney Movies
Playpod/Playmat
Swing/Bouncer System
Cart and Highchair Cover
Ergo Baby Carrier

 I hope you find this list 'fun enough', but you mom's know that it's the not-so-fun stuff that really matters. Like diapers, bottles, pacifiers, nipple covers (still don't know what those are), breast pumps, etc. We are so thankful for anything that we are given, but if all else fails, please include the receipt ;) With having multiple registries, I know we will end up with double gifts in spite of my best efforts.
Happy shopping!

Amazon, www.amazon.com/babyregistry and search our name.
Babies 'R Us, Registry #: 55794595

14 comments:

  1. That is the swing/bouncer we got and i have friends who love it.

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  2. All great choices! One thing I didn't know about until after C was born and ended up being a total game changer was a snap and go stroller for when she is little! It is just the skeleton on a stroller with a basket on the bottom and spot to hook in the portable carseat. I found it SO much easier to keep in the back of the car for quick errands, tight spaces (shopping!) rather than dragging the whole travel system. Then we switched to an umbrella stroller for errands and jogger for more serious outings as the boys outgrew their little car seat.

    I love the nursery colors!

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  3. Looove the fabrics! I love your #1 vs. Will's, ha!

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  4. I believe nipple covers are the ones to help little ones latch on. I think. I have a boppy pillow as well. :) Sounds like an awesome registry so far :)

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  5. I will tell you right now, that kind of stroller is amazing. A bunch of us ladies got one for one of my BFF's & the thing is great! When my hubby put it together, I was playing with it & it turns on a dime. She loved it! :)

    As for the "No Pink" rule, I'm right there with you & I LOVE the colors you have picked out. Very fun.

    Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/

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  6. Also we had the monitor you have listed and we hated it. The app sucked and froze all the time. Also it wouldn't alert us when the baby was crying even though we had it set up to.

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  7. Love your colors!!! Make sure you check with your insurance on the breast pump. Most plans cover the cost of one.

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  8. Before I was a nanny and before all my friends had kids I always gave Target gift cards to couples. Mostly because when we first got married, we were given so many giftcards that we hard spent any money on decorating our first home or even groceries for months. I knew how much we appreciated that so I wanted to do the same for my newly married friends and then later for my friends who were having babies.

    These days it depends on how close I am to the momma. If she's one of my besties then I always pick out the most adorable outfit ever (again, she's one of my besties so I have been shopping with her lots and know her personal style and what she loves) and nearly always in the 3-6 month size or the 6-12 month size just because (like you said) new mommas usually get a ton of newbie clothes. And then I usually get practical stuff that I know works (thank you years of nanny-hood and all my besties having babies). Boogie Wipes and Butt Paste are two of the most common items I'll grab. But again, if it's someone that I'm not as close to, I still go with the classic Target gift card. One size fits all. ;)

    I looove the desk chandelier you picked out! That's absolutely precious! And I love your color scheme! :)

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    1. Good gracious that was a ridiculously long comment, ha!

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  9. Looks great, lady! I try to always get something from the registry and then something cute pink or blue depending on gender. You know I'm in for PINK!

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  10. Please add "Love You Forever" to your baby book list. It's one of my absolute favorites and I think you'll like it as well. :)

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  11. As a first time mom (son is 16 weeks today!) I would recommend a portable high chair - one that can be secured to any regular chair. He loves to sit up and I can move that chair to any room of the house, it's easily portable in our vehicles and we can use it at grandparents and friends homes as well as restaurants.
    Also, you can find ergo carries and beco carriers on ebay for CHEAP.

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  12. I have heard time after time after time that the Rock 'n Play is a godsend. I'd say it is probably the #1 item that comes up from other moms when it comes to advice on registries/what to get. So, you might want to check it out!

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