More shopping tips

The stroller collection needs some clarification. For the BIG stroller I suggest the 3-wheel jogger type. I am not actually a jogger; however, I do walk a lot and these babies are so smooth. They also have a nifty feature...the hand break. I didn't understand this at first. Its use immediately became clear when pushing multiple kids DOWN a hill. The stroller was running away from me. AHA! "Squeeze the break," I though. Voila...babies saved. If you think you can just use this one for multi-purpose...WRONG. Take one of those big hog-daddies off the shelf at Target and try to maneuver it through, ummm, the crowded sale area of the women's department. Now imagine doing that with a grabby 2 year old in the stroller. Quick maneuverability (such as with an umbrella stroller) is necessary here.

Additional gear needed...

Pack-n-Play These are the 20-21st century answer to the play pen. I am not sure what was wrong with the play pen, but Pack-n-Play is where it's at. Get the most simple form of the P-N-P. You don't need the upgrades...changing table attached, bassinet option, dome lid, whatever. You need a place for Branee to sleep when not in her own bed. Red the instructions carefully, then ask someone who knows for a tutorial. I nearly killed someone my first time out. The set-up is counter-intuitive. FRUSTRATING!!! I'll give you a demo when you are here. You also need sheets for the P-N-P.

Although babies don't run and play, they do need to be cleaned. We tended wash our babies too often (scolded by the pediatrician at LJ's appointment). Anyway, the best method for washing babied is the giant baby sponge. This is a sponge the baby lays on in the tub. Don't waste your $$ with mini-bathtubs. You won't be able to use it for long. You just fill your tub with water (to the top of the sponge). Branee can lay on the sponge and stay warm. I loved these things. You need a good supply of baby towels. They hooded jobs. We used these for at least a year. The cheap ones are thin and stretchy. The expensive ones are just like regular towels. I like the expensive ones. Land's End (LL Bean?) makes some cuties that can have the name put one it. Hey, come to think of it, I bought one as a gift from Gymboree and never gave the gift. It's pink...you can have it.

Blankets This is not bedding I am talking about. You need blankets to wrap Branee in. Babies (newborn ones) like to be wrapped tightly...like an egg roll or enchilada. You can but pack of flannel receiving blankets. The are pretty cheap. You will only use these for a while b/c they are small. Flannel is good b/c it is hard for the babies to bust out of. The BEST blanket for the long haul are the two-sided jobbers from Gymboree. They are soft and hold up well. Louis still sleeps with one that I got when TRAVIS was born. That would make it almost 8 years old. The tag says do not dry, but, if course, I do. They aren't so good for the baby eggroll b/c they are bigger than receiving blankets, but they'll do. Here is the low-down on Gymboree. It was cheap when Travis was a baby. Now it is stylish and expensive. T had lots of it...L only hand-me-downs. They do, however, have great sales. Go straight to the back sales rack. Don't be tempted to buy what is cute in front of the store. It will be in back in about two weeks. Go there now and buy some sale blankets. (www.gymboree.com) By they way...they have girl dog stuff ("Best in Show"). IT IS NEW. Be patient. It will go on sale soon. Did I say you need lots of blankets? You do...Branee will boot on many per day.

Car Seat I am not sure if the laws are federal or state but in MI kids have to be in a seat to 4 years AND 40 lbs. Babies need a bucket type. Don't get the convertible type. Just resign yourself to spending lots of money on certain items...car seat are worth it. They buckets have a base that stays in the car. Babies have to ride backwards until 1 year AND 20 lbs. This sucked for Louis b/c he was 20 lbs by week 2. Some of these buckest came with 2 bases...one for mom's car and one for dad's car. THIS IS A MUST. Putting in a car seat is the WORST parenting job. Keep in mind that like 95% of car seats are NOT installed the right way. Put it in...have it checked...leave it these until baby outgrows the bucket. When I say have it checked, there should be someone on staff ot the hospital that does that. This is really important. Read you car's owner's manual; you might have a tether or some kind of locking contraption in the seat cracks. The buckets are heavy and are somewhat of a mixed blessing. When Branee is young, she will fall asleep in the car and stay asleep while you run errands. In a convertible seat, you have to take her out. When she gets bigger, the bi-otch of a seat will get really heavy. Around 6 months or so, you gave leave the bucket in that car and put Branee in the grocery cart or stroller or whatever.

Bouncy Seat Gotta have one. It is somewhat of an unknown...she might not like it. She also will not stay in it for very long. They are cheap, though, and can sit on a counter-top. Don't get the vibrating one...that is just weird.

Swing I had a glider for the boys. It was open at the top and had the same shape as the bucket car seat, so they could use it right away. I had to ditch it when Louis was a baby. It was possessed by the ghost that haunted our house. It sat in our basement unused you years. When LJ was born I spiffed it up for him. It turned on a rocked at will. I got scared and sold it.

Exersaucer You won't need this contraption for several months (6ish). These are great. I don't know a kids who didn't like it. It is like a walker. The child safety folks (the ones who recall everything http://www.cpsc.gov/) don't like walkers b/c babies end up walking down steps. Since you don't have steps...either would be good.

High Chairs Peg Perego is the way to go. It reclines, it locks, it goes up and down, it folds easily, it slices, it dices, it julliennes Need I say more? You can have our old one as a spare...maybe to take to work.

Back/Front Packs Front packs. I had a Baby Bjorn. It is goofy to get one but once it is there I likes it. Sean used to wear it and do the dishes with Travis. We have a backpack you can have. It is a good one and in good shape. Backpacks can't be used until 6ish months.

Feeling poor yet? Don't worry, that is what showers and rummage sales are for. ;)