February 1, 2014

baby items for #2

When we found out that the new little babe will be a girl, I immediately got excited because Presley will have a sister to play dolls, dress up, Barbies, dance/gymnastics with! (I mean, assuming they like each other.  I don't have a sister so I really have no idea how all of that works.  Lie to me and tell me they will always get along.)  It is nice knowing that we already have so much for the newest Princess and that we will get to reuse so many of my favorite outfits that PDizzle wore!

But, there are still things we will need and want!  So, here are a few (okay, um..a lot) of items that I have been eyeballing.  Keep in mind, I am an avid Craigslist/ Facebook garage sale/consignment/pre-owned buyer so most of these can easily be found for a much cheaper price! But, I will still link to where they can be found online!

1) A double stroller- We have the single City Mini stroller and love it.  It's one of the best investments we've made in the "baby gear" department, so I know the City Mini double stroller is probably amazing as well.  I am not dead set on having that specific brand, and it's probably best if we go to a baby store and test out the different double strollers they have.  If any of you have any recommendations then please send them my way!  

2) A new video monitor- We got our Summer Infant Video Monitor from a friend of mine and it was awesome! But, being an older version and having been through the ringer, it bit the dust a few months ago.  We are at the stage where we don't need a monitor for Presley anymore, but I know I will want another one when the new baby comes.  This is another item that I am not dead set on when it comes to the brand.  Our Summer Infant worked great for us though! I also like that this has the option to view the babe from our phone!

3) New diaper bag- This is something that I think we will definitely have to have.  The Kalencom diaper bag that I used with Presley will not work for two kids.  In fact, one thing that I didn't like about it was that there was barely enough room for one chills stuff.  I do like this exact bag-mainly because it has the option to be worn as a backpack.  Because lets get real--the thought of toting around an infant carseat, a rowdy toddler, then a diaper bag hanging off my shoulder makes me want to OD on Xanax right now.  Having that mug strapped to my back will be one thing out of the way.  This particular bag is pricey, so I will probably search around on Ebay for this bad boy.

4) Ergo baby carrier- I've heard SO many great things about the Ergo.  This is something that I will definitely have in order to make going out in public a little easier with a small baby.  I had a Moby wrap for Presley and hated it.  Just, all of that fabric and I would have to re-tie it constantly because it would slip.  

5) Smaller baby swing- This is an item that we really don't need, but would really be nice to have.  We have a swing, but it is so incredibly big and takes up so much room.  It also doesn't store very well and is such a pain to travel with.  And now that we are closer to the farm in Michigan, we plan on spending a lot of time during the summer up there.  My Step-Sister has this swing and it is much nicer than a lot of the "travel size" swings that I've seen before.  I definitely think this will be nice to have!

6) Highchair- The highchair we used with Presley broke, and then we just switched her to one of those plastic booster seats.  So, this space saver high chair is a must have.  These are all over Craigslist so it shouldn't be hard to find! We also won't need it until the baby is around 5 or 6 months so that leaves plenty of time to search around!

7) New rocking chair- Now this, THIS is something that I want to splurge on.  The glider that we used with Presley was great (and also a gift from my Dad and Step Mom) but it wasn't anything fancy and it wasn't the most comfortable chair I've sat it.  It really made those midnight rocking sessions a little uncomfortable!  This time around I want a comfy, squishy and reclining chair that I can possibly just fall asleep in with the baby in my arms at 3:00am.  I also would like the color to be something that would go along with our other furniture in case we want to eventually move it into the den or something.  I guess once we get the room/decor together we can really choose what we want.  This is something that I won't buy used--unless it's from someone I know :)

8) Rock N' Play- This item is not a "must have" on my list.  But, I have heard great things about this and wouldn't mind trying it out.  These are also always on Facebook or Craigslist, so if I can snag one up for under 20 bones then I think we will try it!

9) Convertible car seat- Okay, this is where I need opinions.  We already have an infant carseat, but will I actually use that? Would it be best to go ahead and purchase a car seat that we can use from the newborn stage all the way up to the age where she can move to a booster seat? I have seen this Chicco carseat at Babies R Us and love it.  I would think that if I had this carseat and then the Ergo, I could make it out in public with both kids (without lugging around the 900lb infant carseat.) This is where I need the most advice!

Wow, if you made it to the end then I give you, like, 47 high fives!  Please let me know if there are items that you loved/hated for the second time around!

6 comments:

  1. I don't know if y'all eat out a lot, but I saw a mom in a restaurant the other day trying to eat with a baby in a Ergo (or some other carrier) and it didn't look very easy. So maybe consider the infant seat if y'all eat out. You'd still be lugging it around, but it might be a little easier in a restaurant or something. Also, if you have an infant seat, have you seen the swing thingies that are just a frame that the carseat pops into? Folds up to almost nothing for storage sake, and seems like it would be waaay easy to travel with. Oh, and if you plan on using the Ergo a lot, you might can hold off on buying the double stroller til the baby gets to heavy for you in the Ergo. Of course, all this from a one-kid mom, so it's all in "theory."

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  2. I think if we do end up getting the convertible car seat I will still keep the infant seat (not the base or anything, just the seat) in the back if our SUV for times when I might need it--like eating out!

    And you're right, I won't need a double stroller if I plan on getting the ergo! Good call!

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  3. I think if you already have a swing at home, you should get this one and just leave it at the farm. That way you won't have to pack it and travel with it. I have seen high chairs that clip on to the table and are pretty sturdy, and I know a few folks that love them. I would think they would work just as fine at home and in a restaurant... if you got two , you could keep one in the car for restaurants. I totally agree with you on the recliner- if you are uncomfortable that's all you can think about. However, unless rocking is your specific goal, I would go with a chaise lounge if it was me. Always wanted one of those boys. My final thing I would get is the cart cover, that you put over the grocery cart or the table. It basically ensures that everywhere your child touches is sanitary. Happy shopping :)

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  4. Newly a mom to 2 here :) I agree with the other comment about not really needing the double stroller if you are going to be wearing baby in the Ergo (or any other carrier), altho we did recently purchase a second hand double stroller because sometimes its just nice to have (we went with a sit and stand model, its long like a limo but my two year old loves his little spot to stand) So I guess it really depends on if you like wearing your baby all the time or not. Do you have any "green"/hippy/crunchy type stores in your area? We have a local store that sells a wide variety of baby carriers. The good kinds. No snuggli or bjorns. Things like Ego, Boba, Beco. Anyways if you have any stores that sell the brands sell if you can try them on (even a trial program? ours has a program where you rent for a week before buying). I personally did not like how the Ergo fit me but my good friend Loves it. I tend to use a ring sling and love a Mei Tai, so everyone has their preference for carriers.
    Also if your going to be using the carrier than your right in thinking no need for the infant seat, you can just use a convertible instead. I am in Canada and it is extremely cold this Winter so we are using our infant seat and only using the carrier around the house at the moment to help me get things done but once it warms up we will be switching seats.
    I don't really have anything to add about the other items except that I foolishly never thought of getting a bag that could be worn as a backpack! And on that note I am off to eBay to search for one :)

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  5. We have the double city mini gt and LOVE it. I went to buy buy baby and tried every stroller. This one was by far the best. It's compact yet roomy. Also, I would say you probably will find using the infant seat/carrier to be much easier when it's just you and both kids. I could carry Elli Kate on one hip and carry the infant seat on my other arm. It made it so much easier getting in and out of the car. I could get hank out first and place his seat by the car while getting EK out. If not, it was always a gamble of whether or not she would run in to traffic! It was awkward at first but definitely easier. Around 6 months I put the infant seat up and put hank in a convertible car seat rear facing. There are still times when I wish I had the carrier though!

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  6. I love all the items that you put in this article thanks for sharing this to us.
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