Baby Registry - did you know babies need a lot of stuff?

So, Monday G and I were off from work. I had a doctor's appointment at 8am. We met with the nurse who checked Baby Lane's heart beat - 147 - and then the OB came in to chat for a few minutes, measure me, etc. She said everything was measuring very well and that my weight gain was perfect - thank goodness. I was up a whole 15 pounds since the start of pregnancy...seems like a lot! But, apparently right on track. (Plus I have had a lot of food over the last 4 days of being home and enjoying Thanksgiving). So, on December 26th we go back to the doctor for the dreaded glucose screening at 8am - and at noon we'll have our 3D ultrasounds. I was anti 3D ultrasounds. They look strange and creepy. But, I have money on my flex card and if I don't use it by the end of the year, I lose it - so, we're doing them. Don't get me wrong - they are still creepy - but, we're going for it. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't have another ultrasound until 34 or 36 weeks.

Afterwards G and I ventured to Babies-R-Us and Target to set-up our baby registries. First, let me say this: I am really glad I did some research on products before we went in. It's very overwhelming. Seriously, there is a wall of bottles and you have to pick a brand, know how many to buy, and hope that you're picking one that's a) affordable, b) piratical and will be liked by your baby and c) rated highly by other parents. Some stuff is a given - like a car seat. But, even with those - there are 20 brands and each of them usually have a few different types. Plus, will it fit in my car okay? Do I have to buy a separate base? It's a lot to take in being the first time around.

When we registered for our wedding it was so easy. You knew you needed plates and you thought to yourself: Wow! These plates are nice! And, they aren't TOO expensive. More than I would spend maybe, but this is someone else's money. Great! Scan!  And then - even if you didn't get the plates, chances are you either had some plates already or you could just go purchase some that are a bit cheaper - or wait a month until you were ready to buy the fancy plates. But with a baby...well, you need A LOT of this stuff right off the bat. And, there is so much unknown with a baby. When G and I got married we knew that on April 24th we would be married and our life would start together (God willing) when we returned from our honeymoon. But with a baby, we're due on March 18th - but baby could come a bit early or a bit late (note to baby: please don't come early!)

So, not that I am an expert or anything - I'm really not - but, I made a list of the stuff we need/want and then used this super helpful book that my friend Kathleen purchased for me to read about baby products. It includes ratings, if you should really buy particular items and what is really recommended. It was a HUGE help.

Book can be purchased here.

After I had my list of what I thought would be best, I went online to Babies-R-Us and Target to read reviews and compare prices. There were several items that were cheaper at Target - so why not just register for them there? We know that for some of our family, they may be closer to a Target than they are a Babies-R-Us. And some stuff doesn't really matter - like blankets and socks. But for car seats, mattresses, strollers, etc - you really want what has been rated highly for the price that's on it.

So, how long did it take us? Well, we made it to Babies-R-Us around 9:30am and finished around 11:30 am. Since we were there on a Monday and so early, NO ONE was in the store. It was awesome. No one listening to us go back and forth about how silly some of the items were (you know, like the "BABY outlet plugs" that cost 10 times what just plain "outlet plugs" cost) or about what was better or worse. So, I recommend taking a day off to enjoy this - and you won't be so rushed. After that we ran into the Gap to do a quick exchange. Then we headed off to BurgerFi (SO GOOD) to eat lunch. Last, we hit up Target. Target didn't take us nearly as long - less than an hour. When I got home, I spent about another hour online adding things that weren't in store or removing some things that we over scanned.

We decided to register now since December is really busy with Christmas get togethers, shopping for gifts, work Christmas parties, etc. Plus, both Babies-R-Us stores in the area are with a Toys-R-Us which would only get crazier in December as we would be competing for shopping space with Santa. Also, this way, if someone doesn't know what to get us for Christmas, they can just purchase something from the registry.

We had a good time and I am glad I got to share another day off with G. And, just so you know...he enjoyed using the scan gun just as much this time as he did when we did our wedding registry! Please share if there is something that you wish you would have registered for but didn't!