Happy Bump Day! (Get it?! "bump day" like "hump day"??)
I'm considering a new regular series as this new life adventure unfolds... quickly... and calling it "bump day." Now, I need to preface this by saying that I am not a pro. In fact, if there is a book called "Parenting for Dummies" I'd probably read it. (Is there a book like this?!) However, my dear friends have guaranteed me that my "mothering instincts" will kick in. I've begun to pray for this nightly.
On April 5 my mom and sisters are hosting a baby shower. This means I have to register for things that (I think) the baby will need. I tell you what, as a first time mom, this is intimidating. A wedding registry - easy-peasy, I know what I want and how to take care of myself. A baby registry - eeekkk!!
Fortunately I called on a couple of my best friends to lend me a hand. Cynthia, God bless her, agreed to go to Babies 'R' Us with me. Walking into this baby store had to be like a guy walking into a women's clothing store! I was so intimated that I considered calling off our shopping date.
Then, I told the girls (yes girls, I doubt they have kids) that I would like to create a registry. Their first question was, "Is this your first baby?" "Ummmm... yea..." 15 minutes and 20 questions later (that I didn't know the answers to) I had the registry gun in hand.
Long story short: I survived and now have a registry - actually two of them.
I learned a few things along the way. Here are my tips for first-time moms for creating a registry.
Babies Don't Need Much
This is what my friends have told me which has helped me stress less about creating the perfect registry. They need a place to sleep, a few changes of clothes, diapers, and food. And of course lots of love.
Use Online Resources
I did a few online searches for pre-made registries and new mom survival guides. This helped immensely.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Skip the Clothes, Blankets, and Toys
Apparently everyone gets you these things. Understandably so - they are affordable and irresistible. I did register for a couple of things, at least that way people can begin to understand my "baby style."
Don't Over-Register for Items
My friend, Katie, had this great suggestion. She told me that you don't know your baby's preferences yet on things like bottles and passifiers. Just put a couple of items or brands on your registry just to try. If the baby doesn't like them, your not out much.
Go With A Pro
Take the advice of your friends with kids. Take a "pro-mom" to register with you - they know their stuff and have experience with it! I also gave my Target registry username and password to my friend, Katie, to log into my account and add things that she knew would be beneficial to have. (She has successfully raised 4 awesome boys!) Then I could easily edit the list and add a few things here and there.
I hope these tips were helpful. What would you add?! Please share with other readers - I am definitely open to your thoughts and advice!!
By the way... while registering I discovered why people find out if they are having a boy or girl. It's A LOT easier to register because everything is either "boy" or "girl." We aren't finding out...
This is great! I'm also due this summer and am not finding out. Couldn't agree more, it's much harder to register without knowing! But, then at least you'll have more re-wearable items if you have a second child that's of the opposite gender, and you'll get those essential items you actually need. Best of luck to you! Enjoy your baby shower. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey! Thanks for reading my post! Congratulations to you!! I think you're right in saying that baby shower gifts become more practical perhaps. :) Good luck with all of your planning and preparation!
DeleteYes - what is with it being so hard to find gender neutral stuff?? You are ahead of where I was...I pretty much copied item for item my cousins baby registry (she happened to be due a few months ahead of me and was a pediatric pa so I figured she knew what she was doing?) and it worked out great - as I also had NO IDEA where to start. You might have done this -- but a tip someone gave me was also registering on amazon -- then you get a discount I think after the fact for anything left on your list....which if you have big items can really add up. We used this for things that we knew we would need...but maybe not right away (like cloth diapers, pump, etc.) and were able to save money later.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy! Awesome idea to register on Amazon - I might have to look into that! I'd also like to put together a registry on etsy... so many cute baby things there too! Hope you are doing well!
DeleteOne thing I found out was to check with your health insurance company about purchasing a breast pump (if you decide to breastfeed). I had to have my OB write a prescription for it (no problem since I felt like I saw her every other day anyways) and I had to get it from a home hospital supply place but it was covered 100%. I know not all insurance companies cover it 100% and sometimes they limit the pump you can get but it is worth checking into. I got a Medela Pump in Style for nothing and it is still working great 8 months later!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't find out the gender either and yes it did make it hard to register for some items. I just added some bath soaps, lotion, powder, diapers, wipes, etc.. These are inexpensive items (well except for the diapers...man are the expensive) and you are going to use them! We also decided to go gender neutral on some of the big things like the stroller and pack n play because we figured we will hopefully have more kids and the next one could be the opposite gender and who wants to buy all new things if you go pink or blue now! Toys and books are always good to add as well. They are mostly gender neutral. They are not things you need right away but within the first few months you will use them!
I highly recommend the Baby Einsteins Musical Motion Activity Jumper (about $80 at Target). You won't use it right away but my little guy LOVES it. He jumps and jumps like crazy for almost an hour every day plus it gives me somewhere to put him if I need to use the bathroom or get something to eat!