[Sean&Shan]

Thanks so much guys, I can't believe how many responses I've gotten!

SO, I am still undecided about the stroller but appreciate the advice. My neighbors are recommending the Jeep jogger model- so I still can't decide.

We will def. go for the strap on booster seat thingy- but if our daughter is younger we will probably opt for the wooden high-chair first. Having no children for the last couple of years, our kitchen table and chairs are from Ethan Allen and I am not ready to see babyfood all over the upolstered seats yet (though I realize I'm going to have to get past that!)

I think we are going for the Britex Round-about for carseats, it is the most highly rated by consumer reports, etc. (since someone asked about that)

Lizzie got her first babydoll for christmas plus a few board books and stuffed animals. But I am so excited to register once we get our referral! Since we hope that will come in the next month I truly appreciate all of your input and suggestions.... keep 'em coming!

[mom23boys]

Shannon- as a mom to three boys all 6 and under- I would highly recommend the Britax care seat. You might want to consider the marathon model- over the roundabout- the weight restrictions are higher and you would not need to buy a booster. I have the rounabout- and love it. I wish I went for the next model though- as my 2 year old will probably need a new seat by the time he is 3. The price is high for the Britax- but i can tell you after owning about 15 different car seats- britax is the best choice for safety, comfort and ease. I iwsh I knew about it before my thrid son though! I wasted a lot of money on other seats that we hated.

Jennifer

[chinagirl2006]

Thank you for this great thread! I've started to register for stuff as I figure out what to get. Since we'll be 1st time parents its hard to know what to get. It would be nice to buy the "easiest to use" items the 1st time! I know the stroller & carseat have been the hardest things for me to decide on. Thanks for everyone's advice...its very helpful!

Today Olivia's crib came in, so we have that & her dresser done so far. Its so much fun FINALLY creating a baby room

[drmalcolm]

Originally Posted by twoinblue

For cleanup of the floor I highly recommend the Jack Russell Terrier model. Not only does it pick up all the loose food, it mops the floor with its tongue.

I was so busy going right down the list cutting and pasting brands to look up that I had blocked this "model" to copy before I realized what it was. Too cute! I have the Giant Wooly Beast 1995 model.

I loved reading all the suggestions for car seats and strollers, as I will need new ones of both.

As for high chairs, when I had my son, we bought a wooden high chair from the unfinished furniture store and stained and polyurethaned it. At the time, this was mainly because I had a small kitchen and it just fit in better, both size-wise and aesthetically. I had a Peter Rabbit cushion insert to make it a little more comfy when he was tinier. It was a really cute addition to the table, especially when he got old enough to take the tray off and use as a chair.

The one thing I will say, though, is that mine does not have as large a tray as the plastic high chairs, nor does it have a lip on that tray. Things can slide off/be launched off. One option my mom used in her dining room (with nice Persian rugs) is the plastic mat that you can unfold and place under a high chair when the kids reach that "airborne food is fun!" phase. You can then just clean up, fold, and put away the mat when you are finished. I think I'll get one of these this time around, as we do have a nice area rug at our table now.

Wow, this is a fun thread. Much better to think about little fingerprints of sweet potatoes than fingerprints for the FBI!

Hope you all are having a great New Year!
Christina

[angelkisses0102]

Originally Posted by kellykamp2004

Since this will be baby girl #3 for us, we arent getting much new stuff...we are looking into a double side by side stroller though if anyone has any thoughts on that...

We have this one...I love, love, LOVE it!!! Inglesina Twin Swift Umbrella Stroller. I got it after borrowing a friends Graco DuoGlider....UGH! The kids are now 2.5 and 4.5 and they both still love riding in it...we use at the mall, in stores with no problems. We have used it in Disney, at parks, everywhere. I ordered it online...it's just under $200.

As for the original question...We had a couple...but loved the Maclaren. No experience in the 2 you mention.

Have fun shopping...

[marniebat]

i adore our jeep liberty. We've had it for almost 2 years and my 2.5 year old daughter can very easily climb in and out by herself (it's nearly impossible to tip it over). It does open and close with one hand, easily. I have taken it on numerous plane trips. It is annoying when i have to carry it up and down subway steps, but it is doable. It does not fit in small car trunks (not really a worry for me, though). I love the storage bags on the side (i keep an umbrella and plastic rain cover in one, wipes and napkins in the other) and the huge basket. I like the parent cup holders and the child tray. I have the air tires (there are two models) and i can use it year-round, in all weather. I live in New York and walk everywhere. After almost 2 years of use the nylon on the bottom of the seat is fraying but other than that everything else is in perfect condition, and this thing has been through a LOT.

The three wheels are very useful for one-handed driving. All in all I cannot say enough good things about this stroller. it's my fourth stroller and will be my last. If i ever need another i'd buy the same thing over again.

[Sean&Shan]

We are def. leaning to the Jeep Liberty. My girlfriends have convinced me that by the time we have a second baby we will use a double stroller so the Graco being able to eventually hold an infant seat doesn't seem to matter. But most importantly my hubby has fallen in love with the Jeep one as he imagines himself on father/daughter outings. How can I say no to that?

[terryb]

Suggestions when thinking about purchasing carseats:

You may wish to wait for your referral to see the age and weight of your new babe before buying a carseat. If they are over 1 and over the weight minimum (20 /22 lbs)for forward facing, then you won't need a convertible seat (one that faces both rear and forward). You would be able to get one that's forward facing only and perhaps one that goes from forward facing with the harness to the booster for when they are over 40 lbs.

I don't know that there are many carseats that will go from rearfacing to forward facing up to 80 lbs. Many are rear and forward to 40 lbs. Then others are forward facing only 20 - 80 lbs.

Now that I've written this, I should also say that I live in BC and our regulations for carseats may be different from other parts of the country or the world, so you may also wish to check into what the rules are for weight, height, age, and position of carseat. (And the sales people don't always know the rules).

Another suggestion is to try it in your vehicle before purchasing if at all possible. We checked out a couple when buying for our older two kids and foudn that some that came highly recommended just did NOT fit well in our car. Also, there were others that we just didn't like although friends loved them.

Have fun shopping!

[twoinblue]

[Now that I've written this, I should also say that I live in BC and our regulations for carseats may be different from other parts of the country or the world, so you may also wish to check into what the rules are for weight, height, age, and position of carseat. (And the sales people don't always know the rules).


Terry that's true but actually the regulations vary from state to state here in the US and are always changing. Our state now requires childrens under the age of seven to be in a child restraint. If someone needs to find out, they can call their local municipal or district court and find out.

Because of this rule, I want the seat that will take up to 100 lbs.

[CoatAnnHat]

Christina,

I have an eddie bauer wooden high chair and it has a large plastic tray that can go right into the dishwasher. It has built in cup holders that flip out and store when not needed. I tried attaching a picture but its not working!

[Sean&Shan]

Just an update, here is what we have picked for those trying to make decisions too...

Jeep liberty limited urban terrain stroller- very tough and macho

Britax Marathon Carseat in floral Ashly print-very girlie and currently on sale through 1/7 (we saved $48, pm me if you want the site)

Eddie Baurer wooden high chair with washable tray inserts (if our baby is under 16 months)

Fisher price portable booster with washable tray inserts (regardless of age)

We should get the stroller (a gift from the inlaws) and the carseat (a splurge we made ourselves) next week, the other stuff will go on our registry. I'm so excited! This has been so much fun, thanks to all that gave their input and advice!

Other recommendations we have gotten for a child in the 8-18 month age range:
Board books, inflatable balls, and stacking cups of-course (we will bring these with us)
Fisher price little people farm and doll house
The "giant door" toy. I think this is called home sweet home or the welcome house or something like that, but it is actually just this giant plastic door with mailbox etc...... it has been THE hit toy at all of the first birthday parties I have been to recently.
Toddler bowls that suction onto the high chair tray (I didn't even know they made these- how smart!)

Any other suggestions are always welcome! My mom is in town this weekend and won't be back until my baby-shower so i think we will go to the babystore and do an initial registry that I can refine when we get our referral (hopefully any week now!)

[Momof2boysinOH]

Yes, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home is a great toy! We got it for our 1-year-old for Christmas, but both my boys play with it. The Step 2 kitchen they have and the learning home are the toys they play with the most on a daily basis.

[Sean&Shan]

Thanks Mary! I just was about to post the real name of the door toy and you beat me to it. From what I've seen and heard it is a "must have"!

[Monielynn]

Well, I see I'm too late to chime in about the stroller, but here is my advice anyway! Easily foldable is good. Also, make sure that the stroller is the right height for the tallest one who will be using it - we had a wonderful small stroller that I loved to use - it was just right for shortie me, but it nearly killed dh to push it (he is almost a foot taller than me). I had no problems pushing a taller stroller, though.
With the carseat, an easily removable and washable cover is good (our first dd got carsick a lot!)

Monie