[florobin]

I will be placed with 2 girls (2 & 7 months) in a couple of weeks for foster/adoption. I'm so excited!!!!

Now I'm trying to figure what stuff I need and what would be nice to have. What items do you consider essentials and what can you live without?

[glk]

Just a few things I would want to have:

Double Stroller!

Meals in the freezer (make a few simple things you like and freeze them for the crazy days you have ahead of you)

Simple toys (stuffed animal, blocks, stacking/nesting cups, rattles, baby doll, balls, bath toys)

Nightlight - I don't like them in the kids' rooms, but they are nice in the bathroom or hallway so you can see where you are going without turning on the lights when they cry in the night

Nursery monitor

Books - Dr. Suess, Veggie Tales, Clifford, Curious George, are the ones our 2 year old likes; board books for the baby

Good carseats

Soft blankets (crib blankets make great nap blankets for the older kids, too, and receiving blankets are very absorbent and can clean up lots of messes)

An experienced babysitter or a good respite provider

These are thing I think are essential, in addition to clothes, blankets, crib & bed, etc. At 7 months the little one (hopefully) be too big for bassinet, cradle, changing table, etc. A fold-up playpen is nice, too. We used ours until our youngest was about 20 months - he was able to climb out of it then. I always wanted one of those bouncy saucer things for the baby but we managed to get through his babyhood without one!

Good luck with your little ones, and enjoy them!

[jodyk]

-- Definitely a diaper genie or one of its clones.

-- A busy box that attaches to the crib is good, too, for when they wake up before you're ready to.

-- Tape/CD player in so you can put on music/stories for them to fall asleep to. (I have a tape player, & I've recorded some kids' CDs as well as classical music onto tapes.)

-- Faucet cover for the bathtub
-- Rubber stoppers to keep doors from closing all the way
-- Locking device for cupboards/cabinets

[mckenna]

my son was 2 when his 9 month old sister came to live with us and here are some things that have been helpful;

sippy cups (2 different styles or colors so you can tell who's is who's)

bottles

baby gates if there are any stairs they can have access to.
i know this has already been suggested, but a double stroller is a must!!

baby wash, lotion, diaper cream ect

a pediatrician that will except the type of med. foster children have

two booster chairs that strap to kitchen chairs so you can all have dinner together.

a crock pot and good recipes so dinner is easy to make

good luck and have fun!!

[Kelly12345]

Wow, 2 & 7 month olds!!! How exciting!!
My kids are: Nathan 4yrs
Anastasia 4yrs
Gavin, 7 months
What a fun time!!

Items that have been the most helpful:

#1. Travel swing

#2. Double stroller, BUT make sure it's not too big to fit in your trunk!! I made the mistake of buying the Eddie Bauer double stroller when Anastasia and Nathan were younger, well... I didn't have the Eddie Bauer car, and the trunk wouldn't close!! Ooops!!

#3. Infant tub

#4. Lots of bottles!!

#5. Baby Einstein video's, my son actually watches them! They are nice to put on everyonce in a while, and he even smiles and laughs at them!

If you don't want go out and buy a big double stoller they sell stroller connectors at Babies R Us, that you can attach two strollers together side by side. I think they are only about $10.
Definately comes in handy when you only have 1 baby with you, or you want a lightweight stroller.

Best Wishes & Have fun!!!

[Kelly12345]

I forgot my son's favorite right now!!!

The bouncy seat that attaches to the door frame,
he loves to bounce!!!

[jolean12]

A double stroller is a must and if you live near GA I have one you can have I need a triple stroller as I have a 17 month old, a 21 month old, and a 26 month old. Although I can't afford to buy one so I am having a heck of a time going out right now.

Anyone in GA have one I can use? )

Diapers, sippy cups, bottles, diaper bag, highchairs or booster seats, carseats, desitin, baby shampoo, tylanol, motrin, and benedril are a must. Of course some cookies in the cabinet would be a nice treat....we use the little butter cookies with the hole in the middle, the kids think they are fun b/c they can stick them on their fingers and I like them b/c a huge package only costs 99 cants.

My little ones favorites were a vibrating rocking chair (Fisher Price) and the exersaucer. Baby gates in our house, with no stairs, keep them in one area and makes it a little easier to keep them out of trouble.

[Dylansmom]

the one thing i couldn't live without was the formula on the go bottles!! I didn't have to worry about keeping formula cold or heating it up, it was always at room temp.

Top of bottle holds powdered formula, bottom hold water, they are kept seperate till you want it mixed.

The bottles were always handy and ready when i needed them , It's the one gift i buy every new baby.