[SanInUtah]

Matched or un-matched, sooner or later you gotta shop!

I just wrote a post to Ilene, who is officially 'nesting'. It got me to thinking about all the stuff my friends and I debated and picked over during that time.

So, what are you guys doing to get ready?
What are you buying?

My bit of advice; hit e-bay!

I got about $300 worth of AVEnt bottles for $30 on there. If you don't know about AVent's you'll want to...They are a life-saver for babies predisposed to colic and indigestion.

Also, you can get antique christening gowns, baby dior onesies...so many cute things!!! We got my SIL's baby a crib for $100 that would have cost us $700 in the boutiques.

[StorkWatcher]

I really didn't buy a lot, but would just pick up a little thing here or there.

My favorite thing to do / sanity saver was READ. I read parenting books, baby books, bought baby story books, books on adoption, etc etc. Once we hit the sit-and-wait period, it was the only thing (aside from this forum and venting w/ friends who were also going through the process) which made me feel better.

And I made lists. Lists of what we would need, what to register for, lists of things to do before baby, after baby. Baby name lists. Lots of lists!

[mommamarci]

I have already bought everything. Seriously. Everything...

I have a few different kinds of bottles, waiting to see if baby prefers one over another. I have a few different pacifiers for the same resaon. I ahve enough neutral clotehs to get the first month or so. Plus my sister is planning to give me all of her baby clothes once we know if it is a boy or girl. I ahve enough newborn diapers to alst until he / she outgrows those. Then I have a couple packs of size 1. I also have a few samples of different formulas. So the first couple months, all I will need to buy will be formual and maybe a few more bottles. (At least I think so. Of course I am new to this, so I could be forgetting a bunch...)

[MarMad]

I've bought more of my dishes, mostly: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 cereal bowls, 2 big serving bowls, and 1 serving tray. The Hub bought a 16 quart stockpot and a new saucepan. And we've cleaned out all the closets and will be donating a ton of stuff to Goodwill. I'm watching dining room sets on ebay, since right now our table is a glass topped square. We've stockpiled about 15 homecoked (and hopefully kid friendly) meals in the freezer that we've cooked over the last week, including 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies, so that we at least won't have to worry about cooking for 1-5 children in the first few days, just defrosting. We already have a lot of nice, soft bedding from our homes before we married, so I think I'll probably dye those to suit the kids tastes, just in case "dusty moon" isn't the color of choice.

[melliemoo]

I hit eBay once we got matched and picked up a parcel of baby boy clothes for a great bargain! I have also knit a sweater, and am working on a cross-stitch for the baby's room. That's almost done, so I'm going to start on the lifebook. I have also been doing a lot of reading. I bought a crib, some bedding, and some gender neutral onesies before our match. I also have a couple of slings, a diaper bag, and a shopping cart cover. We got several books and toys already for gifts from family as well, and I'm having a shower on August 6 (baby is due 9/13).

It's been so much fun!

Melissa =)

[Fran27]

We probably have everything except a high chair (hoping to find a good deal, like I did for the rest), baby monitor, pacifiers, medicines and formulas (don't want to buy stuff now that will be too old when we finally bring baby home). We'll probably need to buy more bottles, diapers and clothes after 6 months (didn't buy too many of those as I'm tired of unisex clothing) but we're set for the rest.


We have crib, bedding, dresser, tub, nail/hair accessories, LOTS of toys, two strollers, two carriers, diaper bag...

And I know 'what to expect the first year' almost by heart now...

Just waiting

[allanacw]

My nesting is driving him crazy! We're expecting, due at the end of September, and the nursery isn't done. How can he not understand that I desperately need to wash the baby clothes that I can't get to, stacked behind furniture in another room that is in chaos because the nursery is torn apart, and get the diaper bag ready? That of course the living/dining room needs painted, and the deck definitely needs power washed...

We haven't bought anything except the furniture and crib bedding (also not washed- ack!). This situation is starting to get desperate in my mind.

I don't think the nagging/yelling at him each morning when he woke get up is helping. Must get a new strategy. Lists, maybe? Rewards? "I'll take you to dinner at the Keg as soon as the nursery is done" may be a good plan!

Sigh!

Allana