When you are expecting your second and Numero Dos is the same gender as your 1st and your 1st isn't that much older, you constantly hear "Well, that's great. You already have everything you need."
Hardly.
Yeah, I guess we could survive on what we have. We would manage. There are just too many options out there that help make life with a toddler and newborn easier. Then there are the little comforts you have gotten used to. Then there is accommodating the needs of one child to fulfill the needs of the other (i.e. getting Truitt a big dresser so Twosey can have the one that goes with the crib).
I am finding that 6 weeks away from delivery I am having to shop like a fiend. Some of this is of our own making- new clothes b/c I have been steadily selling off Truitt's on The Goods or because the ones of his that I truly loved have been worn so much it would be sad to make another child wear them. However, there are things that we just plain need- bottles because Truitt's were not BPA free and I got rid of them (donated to Casa Juan Diego) and now we need replacements.
I shouldn't sound like I am complaining about procuring these items. I like to shop- for anything. I know it's hard to believe but just in the almost 3 years since I was first pregnant with Truitt, there are sooo many more options. More options, especially, in the area of natural parenting. There are so many more BPA free bottles and so many more cloth diapers and so many more kinds of carriers and so many more organic clothing lines. It's wonderful and completely overwhelming.
So, the process of prepping for Twosey has finally begun in earnest with only 6 short weeks to go. The 1st of our major purchases arrived this week: The Joovy Caboose Ultralight Sit'n'Stand tandem stroller. HA! How is that for a mouthful? Translation: it accommodates a little baby in front and a bigger kid can sit on the bench or stand and watch from the back seat. This is going to live in the trunk of the car and be used primarily for outings to places like the mall. In keeping with my personal fashion sense (boring), ours is not this delightful green, but rather basic black.
As far as bottles, as I said there are sooo many more options now. With the help of Houston's only eco-baby boutique, Bebe Verde, I selected these BPA and Phthalate free bottles. I like the fact that they don't have a separate valve like the Born Free bottles and they were about $3 less per 2 pack. The nipple is also more of the natural shape that nursing mamas tend to look for. Hopefully Twosey will like them as much as I do since he is going to be the real judge!
Of course, one of my fave things to shop for is fun and unique baby clothes. With boys it'r so much more of a challenge than girls. I think that also makes good scores more of a reward. Recently I ordered some stuff for both Turtle and Twosey from the MiniBoden catalog. They have great, fun clothes for boys and the quality is great for the price. Here are a couple examples of what Twosey has to look forward to- the cutest fruit romper (I also got him one with a big apple on the front) and these awesome checked clam diggers.
Another thing that has come along since Truitt was a baby are these muslin swaddle blankets. I did have some for T, but Sarah had them for Alexander and she let me "borrow" a couple. You literally could not find them in the States anywhere. I couldn't even order them on line. Now you can't avoid them- all the baby stores have them front and center. I still have the 2 I stole from Sarah but I did buy another 3 pack for Twosey. They are the best all-purpose blanket for Houston's climate. Period. Not surprisingly, the brand that everyone is carrying was founded by Australian moms who moved to the states and couldn't find the wonderful muslin blankets they had back home...
So, we have "stuff." Lots and lots of it, with even more on deck (new bedding, a double jogging stroller, new blackout roman shades, cloth diapers and other gear). Sounds like we're prepared, huh? Well, take a look at Twosey's nursery and tell me how prepared you really think we are:
We've got a lot of work ahead of us...
1 comment:
did you see that baby steals had those muslin blankets on sale this week. I almost bought some just because. :)
you're right they are perfect for that climate.
in the summer you can dampen it and wrap baby up in it and it keeps them cool. :)
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