[lsjcmcd]

I am curious, what all did you have ready/or buy before you were even matched?
Everything from:
· Crib/Bed
· Furniture
· Room Décor
· Cloths
· Toys
· Baby stuff in general like Thermometer, Nail Clippers, Monitor, Etc.

We have the nursery furniture because our SW said it would be better but not nessasiry.

But, I don’t know what else we should have OR would be ok to buy without looking like a complete Impatient, Baby Crazy, Nutso.

Just wanting to know what others have or had however long before you got matched.

Thanks for any info.

[dre25524]

I haven't bought anything yet. Everytime I say I am going to buy a couple of things...I end up standing in the baby aisle at the store feeling overwhelmed. I also feel like I am going to jinx us and sometimes I feel like "it's never going to happen for us". But, I know that some people have said that they have bought things just so that when the time comes you don't have to buy everything at once! Which could be kind of fun, but expensive!!!

[riverview]

nothing.... the constant reminder of the room full of baby stuff and an empty crib would have driven me crazy. IMO. I have enjoyed the RUSH of buying with the new babies every single time. The people in the stores were always so helpful and friends and family would join in the excitment. They are so little that they sleep through the whole crazy exciting day!

[sarah16]

I already have a daughter so I have some things already left over from her. Some things we are getting new though are a stroller and carseat, bottles (DD nursed for 9 months), bouncer seat and clothes. We do have some uni-sex little baby pjs, blankets and some girl clothes.

[rredhead]

We had the room painted. When we were first offered a match (which we had to turn down) it was full of boxes from our move. I immediately cleaned it out. We began to register around that time, for the big things we knew we'd need. We ended up getting the crib and changing table, a couple of outfits, some hand-me-down toys (which are awesome to this day).
I liked having the room ready. Less stress overall.

[minibus]

We actually bought quite a bit because I like to research instead of running around at the last minute. We had lots of stuff including: crib, dresser, some clothes (bought used), painted the room, some decorations, crib bedding (bought mostly used except for one set to set the nursery theme), burp cloths (bought used), etc. I purchased a lot off ebay and Craig's List so that I could get them less expensively.

[sugarmuffin]

I told myself I was not going to buy much but I have everything except the car seat. To prevent myself from feeling sad about an empty crib I have moved it to a different room where I wouldn't get to see it every morning. I just did not want to wait until last minute. I even bought diapers for a new born. I HAVE TO STOP NOW!!

[powderpiggy]

We bought nothing before we were matched. I didn't want to deal with an empty nursery with no idea when or if it would ever be used. I felt like buying stuff would somehow jinx me.

[DancinBear63]

Since DH will become a stay-at-home dad once we match, and we'll be living on a single salary, we figured we should get the big items now. We bought the crib and bedding last week, and plan to get our carseat next week. Fortunately, we were given TONS of clothes and toys by several friends whose children had outgrown them.

I was advised by a friend to have at least 72 hours worth of supplies, so we have started to gather diapers, bottles, etc. Pretty much anything that doesn't expire.

Our home inspection is scheduled for next week, and is the last box to check. Then, we'll be waiting to use this stuff!

I understand that a lot of people don't want to look at an empty nursery, but I like to go in there and imagine what it will be like once we've brought a little one home.

[megaphonemo]

Everything else you will need immediately - bottles, wipes, diapers, formula - you can get in the 24 hour convenience store.... Research and buy a car seat NOW. You can't leave the hospital without one. We had 12 hours notice with DD#1 - and my head was spinning so fast I would never have been able to decide on what to get. (You should have seen me putting the base in the car like a lunatic!!) Buy it, and put it in a closet or something, but have it handy.

Also keep in mind that baby supplies are expensive. Both times I started buying diapers and such early on, maybe a pack every other time I went to the store. Buy some that are bigger than newborn - they won't be in those long... Bibs, unisex onesees too. Zillions of bibs!! Stocking up ahead of time helped defray that 'oh my god - there is a baby here' shopping trip where you clean out Target or walmart!! (and spend a ton of $$ like we did!!) (and if you end up with a brand of diapers that you don't use - most big stores will exchange if unopened without a receipt. Or give them as a shower gift - they always make a good side gift!!)

Oh, and if you are goign to paint a room, do that now too. Even if you paint it and then resume using it as storage. You won't want smelly paint fumes in the house with a newborn.... Neutral colors can be done up with borders or trim to be more sex-specific (although we did a barn and a beach theme - worked for either sex ahead of time!!)

Get off the forums and go start researching car seats and buy one!!!

Mega

[spischer]

We have been waiting for almost two months.....and it is very hard. I am a planner and the waiting is driving me nuts....but I know sometime that call will come.

We have bought a lot of the things, during this wait, that we will need. I figure we might as well buy in smaller quanities instead of one BIG bill once we have our baby. So we started with the crib, then the stroller/car seat, pack-n-play, then highchair, bouncy chair and lots of little things (bedding, unisex clothes, pacifiers, bottles, diapers, wipes....etc). Like I said I am a planner and we have the room to store things - so we are going for it! The babys room is all setup and it really doesn't bother me to look at it empty - it is kinda fun. I still have to buy the swing....probably this weekend I will be doing that.

Baby dust to all waiting!!!!

[lsjcmcd]

Our HS is now completed and we have the nursery done and have started buying cloths and stuff when on clearence.

We are going through the state and are not sure what age we will get for sure. ((under 1 1/2))

I like going in the nursery and changing things around or picutring how it will be.

Thanks for everyone's input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[abresie]

I'm so glad to read this thread. I've been driving myself completely nuts. We have been waiting for a few months, and I cleared out the baby's room. I keep saying I'm going to buy things for the room. I even obsessively check out craigslist, and all of the baby stores. I've gone to Babies r' Us 5 times, but each time I get paralyzed and cannot buy anything. I keep thinking that if I buy something I will somehow jinx our chances.

I know this is not the most healthy attitude, but that's where I'm at right now.

[sugarmuffin]

I just got placed with my daughter and I am so glad I had my stuff ahead of time. I found out on a Friday that I needed to pick her up ASAP so can you imagine if I didn't have anything.

Take heart ladies and please GO SHOP SINCE YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANYTIME LATER

thanks