title

Oh, this give me thrills just reading about your plans. How great it is to redo a little room into a nursery awaiting your special child. I love the sound of the colors together and I think the blue sounds heavenly. It does sound like a lot of work; but, it will all be well worth it in the end. I don't envy you taking wallpaper off; but steamers do wonders, I have been told. Laminent flooring sounds good, too; maybe a nice area rug would be nice in the middle of the floor. Those cribs are amazing, pussnboots; this is exactly what my son and daughter-in-law bought. I love the set; they bought a dark wood; very pretty. They also have a 6 drawer dresser and they angled it into one corner; looks so nice that way. My son put up shelves in the baby's closet; it is fair size and so he could go with a variety of shelving. Maybe your husband could do the same or you could buy some readymade units; those little cubby holes and shelves are great for all kinds of baby needs. I think you left out one thing, provided you get a small baby; you will need a changing table. My son has one of those, padded on top, with drawers below, which matches their furniture.
I happen to purchase the carseat for them for the shower gift; my son requested I buy that. I went to Babies-R-us and got a certain brand they had requested. I will look up what brand that was. They had two types - one for small infants to 1 yr and a larger one for older than 1 yr. You can probably window shop online in their site. I do think a good one is important. I know they have been totally satisfied with the one I bought them. Also it turns into a stroller when you buy the base for it. It is so neat now how they design these things to be all in one, like the crib. They also have this really nice folding highchair. I will find out what brand that is as well, and let you know.

I know what you mean about the mall and clothes. My mother and I am going near there tonight and I know I will be tempted to stop in Target since I saw some really cute spring dresses, onsale this week in their folder. I can't seem to pass a baby department anymore without buying something for Brooke. Just keep inmind seasons. I don't know how you can buy ahead too far except for the little one piece nities with feet because those the kids wear summer (in AC) and winter.

If you get a small baby you will need a baby monitor as well. Haha...pussnboots.. this is just the beginning of all the countless things you will need eventually...Brooke is now in a walker with wheels and loves it. I recally her daddy having one and loving getting rapidly around the floor. I have to laugh when I go to their house - the decor has become 'baby'. Everywhere you look you see something that relates to the child. Yes, you said it - your husband's world will definitely be turned upside-down, but he will love it!

Have fun planning and decorating!

I've thought about the changing table. Up until what age do you use a changing table, until they are out of diapers ?
I am definietly going with a convertible care seat. This way I will only need one. Most convertibles hold up to 60 - 80 pounds. My mom reminded me abt the baby monitor. I'm just trying to think of the bare neccessities up front and will deal with all the other things when we get back. Worse case scenario I email my mom from overseas and tell her what I will need.
If you can I would appreciate the brand of car seat and high chair that you bought them.

I love the color scheme. I think it will be very nice for a boy or a girl. I have to agree with Janine about the changing table. My husband got me one with our first and when he brought it in I scoffed a little. I told him he shouldn’t have wasted the money. But it turned out to be so nice and useful. I used it with my first three. Little Max got his diaper changed on the bed or the floor or my lap or just where ever. I was certain we were done and so I got rid of all of my baby things. Oh well. It was nice because it made changing the baby easy and it had a lot of storage underneath. I think your crib sounds really great, too. It’s a smart decision.

Also, I used a steamer once to remove wallpaper. I rented it for the day and it was worth it! The paper just fell off of the walls.

I’m sure you know all of this but I’m just going to mention that if the baby is less one year and twenty pounds he will need to face the rear of the car in his car seat. I think it’s worth it to buy an infant car seat and then upgrade to a toddler seat when it’s time to turn them around. The infant car seat shouldn’t face front. But, if the baby is pretty close to a year old you could go ahead and get a toddler car seat and face it toward the rear. Many, not all, can go either way. You know I had such giant babies that it was kind of an issue for us. They needed the bigger car seat when they were pretty young.

There are tons and tons of things to get and I hope you have fun getting all of the stuff you need and want. Remind yourself that all of the summer stuff will be on clearance in September and you can get for next summer.

I’m really, really happy for you- both of you.

Now the last thing I want to recommend is a sling. These are my favorite http://www.hotslings.com/
This changed my life for the better and I don’t know how I ever survived without one. I’m the only mom in my area that uses one, but I think lots of NY moms use them. They are comfortable and easy. Max can still ride in his and he will be four next week. I made mine and it was super easy. If you want me to tell you how I will, just send me a PM. I saw one on that website for 150.00 but I made mine for about 8.00 and it is BEAUTIFUL. Target has them, too. I’ve used a lot of different kinds, but the pocket sling is my personal favorite, that’s what is at this site. They are safe and snug. A lot of people feel worried that the baby will somehow fall out the first time or two they wear them, but if you have the kid in there the right way he wont. The sight has videos that demonstrate how to get them in. It’s easy, but if you’ve never done it you may need some practice. It felt very natural to me from the beginning, but I’ve known women who had to use it two or three times to feel confident.

I was just looking at some of the convertible car seats on line. I could be wrong here, but I think you’ll have to get at least two either way. If you get the convertible it will work for an infant, but will it work for a big kid. Mason is 6 ½ and still in a car seat. He is average sized and weighs 57 pounds. He comes up to my armpit. Their head can’t be above the back of the seat so he has a booster seat. I think they are supposed to be 70 pounds before they sit in a regular seat. Chaney and Bailey were both nearly 10 before they weighed that much. Here is a website http://www.aap.org/family/Carseatguide.htm It’s the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline for 2009. It’s easy to use and has a lot of good information.

not got anything to add re aesthetics or stuff needed.

But, do want to say good choice going with the laminate flooring - it is almost idiot proof, just remember to leave a 1/8" gap all around to allow the floor to expand

motherhubbard, the sling you use looks nothing like the one my son bought; he has one that looks more like a backpack that you wear in the front and Brooke loved it as soon as he began to use it. It allows the baby to look all around. I will find out what kind it is. Mainly my son uses it, not his wife. I will show you a photo of him wearing it. Your type sling looks trickier and a little harder to made sure the baby is really secure.

I will ask him the brand of that and the carseat and the highchair. Their carset faces backward, too. They all do in the first year. I might be able to find them all online first at Babies R Us. Ever been to that store, pussnboots? I just go crazy in there everytime I visit. They have wonderful clearance racks and good prices on their regular stock.

Janine, I wonder if it’s like the ERGO? There is a picture of one here along with others http://www.theslingstation.com/ The pouch sling is my favorite, but I’ve had lots of different kinds. With the sling like I use you can hold the baby in several different positions. My kids liked to be all tucked in when they were really little, it’s like they are swaddled in there. Then when they were a couple of months old I would sort of fold them up with their backs against my chest and their legs crisscross in front of them so they could look around. And when they get to be bigger they would ride on my hip or my back. I never like them on my back because I can’t see them very well. I worry that somebody will touch them or mess with them or that they will reach out and grab. They are also great for nursing in. I’ve had people walk up and pat the baby on the head and not know he or she was nursing. My husband liked to use the sling, too. I made him a more macho looking sling of his own. The bigger kids would carry their dolls around in slings, too. In fact, Max was carrying a stuffed animal around today. Kids really crack me up!

I'd love to have Roman blinds. My windows are bare. Roman shades are very expensive, as you know. And when the choice is between buying a Roman shade or a bottle of red, or a Roman shade and a kite, I choose drinking the red wine while flying the kite.

The way I see it, if any passersby desire to look through my window oh go ahead, look and be merry. When I catch them looking, I invite them inside and offer them a drink and stick a book in their back pocket on the way out.

Jon1it - I did not have the shades custom made so that dropped the price considerably. I bought them at a Bed Bath and Beyond. Do you have that store by you ?

M-H: thanks for the website on car seats. I actually found that site as well. My logic for the convertible seat is that I know the child will be at least 6 months old, most likely older and as far as the weight I am fairly sure that the child would weigh less than the norm for their age group since nutrition is a factor in children being raised in an orphanage but once home will gain weight. Worse case scenario is that we wait till we meet our child and then I'll email my mom from overseas and have her buy it for when we get home and pick up something really cheap for our flight home.
I'll have to look into one of those Sling thingies. I think that would give me and the child a great bonding experience.

Janine: yes, there is a Babies R Us by me. That is where I found the crib that I liked.

I just feel so overwhelmed by what we need to get and it kind of sucks that we will know nothing about child till we get there.

I can understand feeling overwhelmed. I think that's very normal. Don't freak out though. When it comes down to it all you really HAVE to have are diapers, a car seat, some blankets, and some crawlers. Even with a six month old you could get by for a few weeks with just that. There is so much out there and it's such nice stuff. I'm not having any more kids and I want that stuff! but you'll be just fine without it. Things will fall into place. I think that your car seat logic is right on. It's going to be fine.

I can't help but think how fantastically shocking it will be for your child to come home to a loving, individually tailored home and his/her very own room, decorated specially for them. Particularily after living in poverty.

This made me smile:

Originally Posted by pussnboots

I just feel so overwhelmed by what we need to get and it kind of sucks that we will know nothing about child till we get there.

'cos that's how every parent feels. I guess that transcends both the adoptive and non-adoptive experience. You'll be just fine. Like Motherh says, there's a lot of stuff you think you need which you don't really need. So long as the baby has love, and the essentials: food, nappies, clothes, somewhere to sleep, safe transportation, then the rest is just nice to have. Smiles and big hugs are essential too.

I'm really quite excited for you. I know kids aren't for everyone, but for me they just make life so much more fun and exciting. Good luck, though I think you don't really need luck. I think you've got the most important thing, love, well and truly covered.

I'm so happy for you and your husband:) This is going to be a great time, and I'm sure that it will be a wonderful experience for you both to bring a child into your lives. I'm with Fifth. I love your quote about feeling overwhelmed. It is the curse of being a parent, but it is one of the better ones. I'm constantly overwhelmed by my two, and they're 2 and 5 now. Babies are such a joy, though I've no plans for more:lol:. As for baby gear... the sling Mother H suggested is great. I used one with Victoria, and she loved it. The only thing I'll note, and this includes all slings, they get excessively hot in the summer time. As for car seats and strollers... I've had wonderful luck with Graco brand ones. They're not top of the line, but they're not the bottom either. Regardless, they've a nice set you can get which is an infant car seat that also attached to the stroller. It is great when they're little, but you will need a new car seat by 6 months, earlier if your little one is a big as Victoria was. By 6 months she was 25 pounds and much too large for it. After that, however, I like the type that can be both front a rear facing. She's been using it for 2 years now, and I'll not need anything else until she is big enough for a booster seat. One thing that sounds silly is stock on bath toys. Both of my children have been playing with them since they were sitting up, and it helps get them through the hating the bath stage they seemed to hit between 4 months and a year. Much love, Meg

Overwhelmed does just go with it. I remember crying myself sick about five months before Bailey was born. I didn't have any baby powder or baby lotion or baby oil... It just kind of hit me one night and I was suddenly completely overwhelmed. I called my mom and told her I would never be able to take care of a baby and that I was already a horrible mother because I didn't even have a blanket! I know it sounds crazy, but mom knew just how I felt and she drove out to the house and brought me some powder and some receiving blankets and she didn't even make fun of me. That really says a lot because my mom delights in my stupidity and the opportunity to make fun sometimes. You are an amazing woman and will make a superb mother.

Overwhelmed does just go with it. I remember crying myself sick about five months before Bailey was born. I didn't have any baby powder or baby lotion or baby oil...

You were crying five months before the birth that you didn't have baby powder or lotion? I mean you had five months to get to the pharmacy.

I know. I’ll blame it on hormones. I doubt I’m the only woman who has felt that way. I think a lot of it is the fear of the unknown. When you’re new to it and not so sure what to expect if feels like you have to be prepared for any possibility. The first time we left the house with her she was just a few days old. We went to a worship service that only lasted one hour. I took a diaper bag that would have gotten us through a week. I kept thinking about what if this happens or what if that happens. The first time I left the house with Max I put a diaper in my back pocket and was off.

I just looked up the carseat on Babies R Us and I found the Graco. I am pretty sure that was the make my son requested I buy. Of course, this years model seems to be slighly different in fabric. I think there's is a beige or a light green, maybe patterned. Here is the link to the one I found online. The majority seem to rate this one high. I bought the infant one and Brooke at 9 months is still in it. I am not sure when they will need the next size seat. I know a friend bought then the stroller base as a shower gift so they were all set - it actually is a 3 purpose deal - carseat, stoller and carrier. It is very nice and looks super protective for the child. Of course you don't know the age yet of your baby so it is hard to determine but I am sure when you do buy one if it is not appropriate the store would exchange it for the next size up.
Here is the link: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=3420747

Hope this helps for now.

I have to laugh at your panic attack, motherhubbard, because I am yet to see my son or daughter-in-law use lotion or powder on the baby. They hardly used receiving blankets and they claim their doctor told them never to use powder (bad for baby's lungs) or blankets in the crib (can cause suffocation). I don't know how my own son survived. I used both and he is still breathing fine. haha

thank you all for your advice. I am sure I will have further questions to ask.

you know, I don't think I ever used poweder either. I did use a lot of lotion though.

motherhubbard, Personally, I love babies that smell like baby lotion or baby powder; but, apparently now they don't do either. I had to laugh at them. Everything scares them to death. I really don't think the powder hurt us or hurt my kid, but I don't interfer; you understand I am sure, I am just the grandmother. I don't give out advice to them; better to stay silent and just think what I may. I knew this very wise mother of adult children, who said "I never comment, I just listen."