DS use to get up and come across the hall to us. But then he got sick and we would go get him. Now he demands we do it every.night. I want so badly to get him to stay in his own bed but I'm too tired and it's too cold at night to sit up and wait him out.
@jmvander They've also got some good deals on travel systems and car seats today, too... I didn't want to start shopping this early, but I might be tempted!
@ellem29 yes I got excited until I realized we had looked at those in store last weekend and didn't care for them. They are nice and a good deal, just wasn't what we were looking for!
I'm planning on getting the Halo bassinet. I'll be recovering from an RCS and like that I can pull the side down easily. Also since our house is being built we're living with my parents so DD and I will still be bedsharing and the baby will have to be beside us. I will hopefully transition to a crib once I am recovered from the surgery.
@canuckbaby Fellow Canadian here:) I also am someone who said I'd never cosleep but DD stopped sleeping in her crib at 6 months and it was the only way I could survive. I will say DD has never slept in our bed. We put a queen size matress on the floor of her room and I slept there with her. It worked well. And at almost 5 she has never wanted to sleep anywhere but in "her" room. Even though she has had 3 different rooms since she was born. I'll do the same this time around if baby also ends up hating the crib at some point. But I'm hoping this time baby decides they love the crib:)
Oooh. And I did splurge on an Ergo Sport last summer that I haven't gotten the chance to use yet. My DD LOVED the Ergo and lived in it for over a year so I'm hoping new baby feels the same. And with the sport model you can use it immediately with a newborn without needing an infant insert. And it's more breathable.
I took my dog to the groomer and there just happened to be a sweet little baby boutique down the block. Now I NEED a Silver Cross stroller. Omg it’s expensive but it’s so pretty. Why did I ever look at it? Can someone convince me luxury strollers are a waste of money?
As a STM, I am going into this just thinking, I need a Rock n play (w/ auto rock), a wrap ( I prefer Moby) and a pack n play and I am SET. I have a BOB stroller, but honestly don't feel like it was that worth it. I am not a runner so it didn't get a lot of use. I much prefer an Uppa umbrella stroller. Uppa is great for tall people btw, otherwise you are awkwardly bending over regular umbrella strollers. And it is light and folds up smaller.
@Sunshine4020 We have the uppa baby g luxe umbrella stroller...it’s okay. I don’t like that it doesn’t sit upright! It’s too reclined for DS. He ends up super slouched. Thinking of the yoyo this time around. Otherwise just the Vista.
@eleven_ I couldn’t convince DH either until after DD was born and not sleeping. He was more on board with anything that increased sleep once she was here.
*TW* Spoiler
Me: 33 DH:30 DD: Aug '16 10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
For the moms who have done this already -- when did you start doing the research on the bigger stuff for your first? Strollers, carseats, bassinets/cribs, etc... I haven't decided yet if I'm way behind or too early or what. I won't actually want to BUY anything for a while yet but I'm also super clueless on a lot of this stuff, and not sure when the time to really start digging into what these things are and why we would/wouldn't want any particular brands/items.
@ki1244 I don’t think it’s ever too early. I really liked Lucies List (I think someone else mentioned it upthread). Also there’s a book called Baby bargains that’s good. The review reading can get a little out of hand!
My one advice for researching items for FTMs is to look at things in long term vision. I think we made some mistakes in purchases the first time that probably cost us more in the long run.
For example: we knew we wanted more kids after DD, I wish we would have bought a stroller that not only accommodated a car seat, but also could convert to a double. We bought the chicco bravo stroller combo for DD and although we loved it. It’s now useless to us for a second baby since DD also still likes to ride in the stroller and it’s only a single ride.
*TW* Spoiler
Me: 33 DH:30 DD: Aug '16 10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
Go see things in person before putting them on a registry. For us (we at both 6'+ tall) we needed to make sure everything was high enough for us ie the stroller. The cheap umbrella strollers are not worth it. They are cheap for a reason (I'm talking the $10 ones), we use our Graco umbrellas stroller all the time now.
+1 for go see things in person. Test to make sure things fit in your vehicle! I found out 3 days before DD was born that her infant seat didn’t fit in my vehicle without smashing me into the steering wheel. That would have been nice to know sooner. My BFF also found out after her second was born that their bought and assembled double stroller was too big to fit in her trunk.
This may be specific to my son, but we initially bought a carseat with a black interior. DS was so hot and sweaty when we drove anywhere - and he was a Nov. baby. Also, the seat was super deep, so he was practically folded in half. He hated it and screamed whenever we were in the car. We switched to a Peg Perego (with light gray interior) and he started traveling like a champ.
@ruby696 We also switched to the Peg car seat. I had bought the nuna rava and it was hot and too deep! My son sunk in it, it is so annoying to use. It’s in my husband’s car now.
Seeing everything is person is the way to go! BUT there will be things that are more trial and error! Like you see them, you think they’ll be great, but they’re not haha.
Spent the afternoon googling convertible strollers and their associated car seats. Unless something changes, DH and I were on the "grow one, get one" plan (we'd like to adopt #2) but I don't know how long that would take post-baby #1. Could be quick, could be years. Sooooo thinking convertible stroller with the option to add a standing board is the way to go. Anyone have any experience with the EvenFlo SafeMax car seat? I'm kind of in love with the idea of their new convertible stroller but not sure on the carseat. (Reviews are generally good but a little iffy in terms of ease of use.) I'll probably go find one to take a look too...but would save myself a trip if someone drops an ABSOLUTELY NOT.
(Also, dumb question, but it's possible to return a car seat after you actually assemble it and load it in your car, right?)
@luckystar28 So true! I'm on my 3rd stroller. And sleep sacks?! We tried everything until we finally settled on Zipadee Zips ("Zippys" in our house). They're not cheap, but they worked great. Damn startle reflex.
Most baby stores will let you take the floor model carseat to your car to test for space. We also bought a bucket seat for my car since I do 90% of the transportation but went straight to a convertible seat in dhs truck.
I have 2 double strollers, 1 tandem and 1 jogger, and they are both indespensible to me. I like the tandem one for shopping and the jogger for parks and the zoo. There is no way to get through racks of clothes with my side by side stroller.
I also have a click connect that I use for quick trips or times when my 2 year old can walk and it isn't a big deal.
I did have my single stroller and I used it regularly too. Specifically in the airport when traveling. Although, now I have enough kids that I actually need my tandem double for the airport. I have been debating in whether to replace it. I would still have it but I had an incident in the garage with my van and the stroller was in the path. Unfortunately, it was demolished.
Anyways, I wrote all that to give you an idea of what type of stroller works best for different situations. My husband says I heard strollers but the only 1 I own that doesn't ever get used is the umbrella stroller.
+1 to the Peg Perego car seats. When we switched DD to one she suddenly, magically, LOVED riding in the car. I'm debating skipping the infant seat all together and going straight to the convertible. I am planning on wearing baby everywhere and I didn't use the infants seat except for in the car last time. Still debating but it's a thought.
@eleven_ With DD SO couldn't even comprehend spending money on a car seat and stroller. Which is why I hated ours. This time around I'm just ordering what I want. I figure I'm the one doing 99.9% of the parenting so I get to make the decisions:)
I didn’t use it until DD was about five months old but the absolute best purchase I ever made for her was an ExerSaucer. I got it on the recommendation of her pediatrician. I was super skeptical but she loved it. It was the only thing that would keep her occupied long enough for me to cook dinner or clean. The price wasn’t exorbitant but DH was SAH during this time and $50 felt like a lot for something she might hate. Thankfully it ended up being worth it.
We have been researching strollers for a couple weeks now because we want to be prepared if we see any deals for whatever one we decide on. If everything goes as expected we are hoping for 2 kids close in age, so ideally we want a stroller that can be a double, without being too cumbersome for the period of time that we are using it as a single. There are very few options that fit into that category, and even fewer that are compatible with what we think is our preferred car seat. This stuff is tough!
@ki1244 I am also thinking about getting a convertible stroller with the option of adding a standing board. I have a client who uses that type of stroller. She doesn’t drive (only walks) and that thing gets her everywhere. It seems really fun for her older child too because he gets to stand up and hold on. I love that you want to adopt! I really want to adopt from foster care. My SO knows being a foster parent is really important to me and he grew up with foster siblings. Depending on how this pregnancy and delivery go we may not have another biological child. I’m already leaning towards not being pregnant again, lol.
Thank you @meatballs37 for helping me think about getting a stroller which will accommodate 2 kiddos. We definitely want one more (I want another one right away). I didn’t even think about it until you said something.
@desoky01 That's the one I've been looking at too!!! I'll be taking everyone's advice here and finding one to walk around the store with for a while, but I'm super fascinated by it and hope to God I like it because the next-most-affordable one I've been looking at is like $600+ without a carseat (and this one is $400 with one included) and I'm cheap as all get-out so the thought of spending more on a stroller than I got on my last car trade-in makes me physically ill.
@ki1244 Yes, it'd be nice to try one out for sure. I think you can use an adapter too for a different seat if you wanted, but I feel like the price is right for the combo.
We pushed around that evenflo pivot xpand at Target. Our Target is small and had it, so I would bet lots of them have one. My husband didn't feel like it was as sturdy as, I think it was the Graco room 2 grow. But it was not a huge frame for something that can be a double, so we still aren't decided. Of course I would still rather get a Vista but it isn't in our budget. In my head I still can't help but wonder if we just should get a single and see what new might be out there when baby2 comes around.
@jmvander I have a single and a double, and I use the single way more at this point. There have only been a few times where DS hasn't wanted to walk or ride his bike in the past year. He's 4 now. DD is 2.5. So while the double was handy for a year or so, I usually leave it home. You may want to think about buying a nice single and getting a pre-owned double later if you need one. Also, I'm big into baby wearing, so DD was hardly ever in a stroller until she was close to 18 mos.
Our double is a City Select which is in-line and convertable/has lots of different positions, so that's nice. But it's much heavier than our single. I like a stroller that I can chuck in the back of my SUV without throwing out my back. 😂
@ruby696 thanks for another perspective, I hadn't considered baby wearing as another aspect of the decision! The double idea sounds great until we actually got hands on our options. We have seen some good deals on a city mini, so we might need to just keep an eye on the selects too!
Re: Baby Splurges
@canuckbaby Fellow Canadian here:) I also am someone who said I'd never cosleep but DD stopped sleeping in her crib at 6 months and it was the only way I could survive. I will say DD has never slept in our bed. We put a queen size matress on the floor of her room and I slept there with her. It worked well. And at almost 5 she has never wanted to sleep anywhere but in "her" room. Even though she has had 3 different rooms since she was born. I'll do the same this time around if baby also ends up hating the crib at some point. But I'm hoping this time baby decides they love the crib:)
Where in canada?
Oh and my DD was a magical sleep unicorn until 6 months...and some babies just love sleep forever. So you might never have to worry about it at all:)
DS: March 2014
DD: May 2015
BFP: 12/24/17 CP: 1/2/18 @ 4w 3d
BFP: 1/26/18 CP: 2/2/18 @ 4w 4d
BFP: 5/16/18 MMC: 6/15/18 @ 7w 5d
BFP: 9/25/18! EDD: 6/9/19 TEAM GREEN
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
DS: March 2014
DD: May 2015
BFP: 12/24/17 CP: 1/2/18 @ 4w 3d
BFP: 1/26/18 CP: 2/2/18 @ 4w 4d
BFP: 5/16/18 MMC: 6/15/18 @ 7w 5d
BFP: 9/25/18! EDD: 6/9/19 TEAM GREEN
For example: we knew we wanted more kids after DD, I wish we would have bought a stroller that not only accommodated a car seat, but also could convert to a double. We bought the chicco bravo stroller combo for DD and although we loved it. It’s now useless to us for a second baby since DD also still likes to ride in the stroller and it’s only a single ride.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
ETA: spelling
Seeing everything is person is the way to go! BUT there will be things that are more trial and error! Like you see them, you think they’ll be great, but they’re not haha.
(Also, dumb question, but it's possible to return a car seat after you actually assemble it and load it in your car, right?)
I also have a click connect that I use for quick trips or times when my 2 year old can walk and it isn't a big deal.
I did have my single stroller and I used it regularly too. Specifically in the airport when traveling. Although, now I have enough kids that I actually need my tandem double for the airport. I have been debating in whether to replace it. I would still have it but I had an incident in the garage with my van and the stroller was in the path. Unfortunately, it was demolished.
Anyways, I wrote all that to give you an idea of what type of stroller works best for different situations. My husband says I heard strollers but the only 1 I own that doesn't ever get used is the umbrella stroller.
Thank you @meatballs37 for helping me think about getting a stroller which will accommodate 2 kiddos. We definitely want one more (I want another one right away). I didn’t even think about it until you said something.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07G2ZDHNB/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1541443395&sr=8-3&keywords=evenflo+pivot+xpand&dpPl=1&dpID=51W+JkM9e-L&ref=plSrch
Our double is a City Select which is in-line and convertable/has lots of different positions, so that's nice. But it's much heavier than our single. I like a stroller that I can chuck in the back of my SUV without throwing out my back. 😂