[Stormster]

OK, so here we go again. We are finally optimistic that we will be adopting a boy due end of July!!!

Thanks to Dr. Spock, all of you and the desire to keep things simple, I know what I'll need when I get there (Michigan).

But as many of you know, Michigan has quite a long ICPC period (in addition to other delays) so what I had prepared for as a week to ten day trip will probably now be 3-4 weeks! My pleasure!!!!

I have decided to send the car seat and snap and go ahead. But I feel like now I want to also send ahead a bouncer, like those ones at Babysrus with the aquarium in it? I mean a month is a while and he'll need stimulation and places to hang out other than the sling, the bed and the car seat!

Is this too much or not enough? Any suggestions in terms of color, play or stimulation or is the baby just too young for all of this? My instincts say the bouncer is a good idea.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm all set I think on diapers, bottles, pacificiers, clothes etc...it's just the stimulation stuff since we'll be there so long.

Thanks guys!

[sadiegirl]

Storm,

JMHO, but the baby won't need all those things! A place to sleep and food is really about it for that time frame. I think, and anyone correct me if I am wrong, but newborns sleep like 20 hrs/day. And those 4 hrs awake are NOT consecutive; it will be 10 min here, 20 min there, etc.

The only play/stimulation etc the baby will need is YOU. And if you get stir crazy, you can always go to the park, walmart, out to eat etc.

Really, don't take all that stuff!

Just my .02

[mrsdatabits]

If you don't mind my asking... where in Michigan will you be staying? (you can PM me if you like) I live in Michigan and if you're near me I could possibly point out some places to visit.

But, I think generally the little one is going to sleep most the time, and if he's not sleeping you can ingage him with little toys or go on walks or what not. Maybe bring along something to read to him (I've been told even just reading the newspaper or a book you are reading aloud is fine... just read it so it's enjoyable... babe is just interested in your voice ). I might suggest learning some kids songs if you don't already know a bunch and perhaps some lullabyes (even to this day I can calm DD down by singing "hush little baby" and she's 15 months... I attribute that to all the times I sung that to her as I rocked her). Perhaps bringing along some music and a CD player? I remember spending a fair bit of time when DD *was* awake playing CD's and singing to her. 'Wheels on the bus' is very easy to sing/listen to and do movements with. Probably even parts of 'The Hokey Pokey', too. If you've ever heard the song '6 Little Ducks' that is easy as well to put movement, too. I don't think you need to worry so much about keeping babe entertained, though... I'd be more worried about keeping *you* entertained! A month in a place away from home will probably be harder on you.

[HBV]

I agree w/ the others. I didn't use the bouncy seat w/ H until he was about 6 weeks. I'd take CDs or your iPod w/speakers---download some kids music, classical music or lullabies, and some reading material. What they really want at that point is the sound of your voice and your touch. I think you'd get more use from a sling or carrier that you could use for walks out of the room than a bouncy seat.

[Stormster]

My best friend who has a six month old said the same thing.

Well that makes it easier...thanks for the input!

And I am DEFINITELY going to bring the old IPOD speakers. I made an amazing lullaby tape ...do you know they have Free To Be You and Me on I tunes as well as Beatles, Led Zepplin etc...in Lullabye form????

Thanks again.

[kelceesmom]

Gosh, I'm not sure I would be taking all that also. If you really think you need it wait until you get there and go find them used and then you can re-donate them back when you leave. You'll be fine. They sleep so much of the time.

[allanacw]

My son was actually a little freaked out by the bouncy chair until he was bigger and could control the movement and understand it.

He LOVED his swing, though...it's literally what got us through the first few months. He wouldn't sleep in his bassinet during the day for more than 20 minutes at a time but would sleep for long periods in his swing. We had the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders and I LOVED it. A bit bulky, but I felt like he was really secure in it (I'm such a paranoid Mommy!) and well positioned...so I could nap on the couch! It's an easy item to pick up once you're there. I'm not sure what we would have done without it!

What an exciting time for you!

Allana

[mommieof2cuties]

I would maybe check out a goodwill or consignment center where you could buy the swing or bouncer cheap, use it and donated it back the goodwill or consignment center. That way you can use it while your in the hotel. Also maybe other adoptive moms live near where you will be, and could lend you some stuff to use. I for example lent stuff to someone I meet on here, and it was wonderful, I was able to tell her where to go, and even help out during the six weeks she was here. I also got to see her baby, and she came to my home and turned out to be a really nice person! Many people on here are very nice, and I am sure would be happy to help you during this time.

God Bless,
Summer

[mznia504]

I was going to suggest the same as Summer! Check out a consignment store and instead of getting a bouncer, get a little swing. Some babies hate swings, while others can't survive without one! The bouncer will be worthless until your baby is a bit older.

CONGRATS on you match!! Boys are great!!

[2manyks]

i cant live without the swing the first few months. i recently bought a small swing online at BRU. it fits my graco carseat into it for the seat. i take it when i travel. it is small, but wonderful - just a few bars to fit togehter.

[mondk]

Babies R Us has a portable tabletop swing for $64.99...we registered for it. I can envision myself taking it to Grandma's and stuff like that. Maybe something along those lines....also songs like the Winnie the Pooh song...You Are My Sunshine...Barney's "I Love You, You Love Me" and "The Ants Go Marching". Those are all excellent songs that I sang to my niece when she was a newborn and even now she loves them at 18 mos.

Blessings, Michelle

[nikkianni]

We get the BRU portable swing as a gift. It was great in theory, but DD kept sliding down in it until her legs were hanging over the edge and that thing sits pretty low. So we took it back.
We too have the anti-bassinet baby. The only place DD will sleep is in her swing (the big one) or Boppy. That reminds me, Storm, buy a Boppy! And I'd take that with you. It props you up, it props the baby up, the baby can sleep on it; they're great.
As for the bouncer....DD is three months now and it still freaks her out. Especially the vibrating thing.
Storm, I'm in Michigan too. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

[ContactChar]

Originally Posted by mrsdatabits

I don't think you need to worry so much about keeping babe entertained, though... I'd be more worried about keeping *you* entertained! A month in a place away from home will probably be harder on you.

Storm, that's right. I took a couple of videos to watch while DS slept (which was pretty much all the time). Granted, I slept through the movies, but at least I had something to do during all of the down time! I am a single mom, so I was by myself. If you are there with DH, you guys can keep each other entertained. Really, for the first month, you don't need all of those things you're planning to take. My DS didn't like his bouncy seat at all during the first month or two. I didn't get a swing until later, so I can't say whether he would have liked it, but I doubt it. To be honest, even now, at 5 months, I find myself scrambling him from activity to activity to try to get him to use all of his "stuff" before the next nap!

Just relax and enjoy your time away with your new little son! It's kind of neat being away from reality, and not having to worry about making beds, cooking all of your meals, etc. (obviously you'll cook and clean some, but not the same as the responsibility you feel at home).

Char

[Stormster]

I'm gonna use my sling, my voice, the car seat and good old fashioned cuddling..the boppy seat thing sounds great!

Also, I got this really cool travel sleep positioner at BRU, it has it's own little frame and I think I'll put him in the bed next to me.

I can't believe I'm even writing this stuff!!!! It's so hard to believe it will happen! But it is looking really good!

Thanks everyone.

[az sun]

Hey, you may know this but just in case.
There is a bumbo seat which allows baby to sit up before they could by themselves. I never used it (our baby could sit when we adopted) but I know some swear by it.
There is also a boppy pillow which is really a pillow kind of shaped in a big C this we used extensively with a newborn we fostered. It really helped tremendously with not getting elbow and arm problems when feeding and the baby loved to sleep in it, she fitted perfectly.
good luck, very happy for you.