Finally made a list

[junbait]

DH and I sat down yesterday when we were doing our monthly budget and started making a list of essentials and nice to haves and whatever we thought we would need. For now the list does not include any clothing or bath accessories (except the bath tub). The final list and the associated costs made us sit in silence for a few minutes. Baby stuff is so expensive!!!

 

[Nikko88]

It can be. We are trying to borrow as much as possible. Get grandparents to purchase large items. Looks for second hand stores and craiglist specials. Hopefully baby showers will cover some of the smaller items and clothing.

 

[junbait]

It can be. We are trying to borrow as much as possible. Get grandparents to purchase large items. Looks for second hand stores and craiglist specials. Hopefully baby showers will cover some of the smaller items and clothing.

Yeah, we are hoping the baby shower will cover some of it. But I would not want grandparents to purchase large items because one set lives on the other coast and will be spending on the plane tickets and the other set of grandparents live out of country, so we are ending up paying for the tickets for their visit. I'm really hoping friends can pool for atleast one of those big ticket items.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

With big purchases on your registry friends/family can chip in together to purchase them too. There's always preloved items from consignment shops (some are extremely picky at what they sell) and there's also craigslist. I saw a brand new crib for $250! Sadly I had to pass it up at the time, still kind of kicking myself in the bum about it.

 

[junbait]

With big purchases on your registry friends/family can chip in together to purchase them too. There's always preloved items from consignment shops (some are extremely picky at what they sell) and there's also craigslist. I saw a brand new crib for $250! Sadly I had to pass it up at the time, still kind of kicking myself in the bum about it.

DH does not want anything to do with pre-used items. He is far too excited as this is our first. I guess by the time the next baby comes around, he'll have a different tune to sing.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

Haha, well that's sweet how excited DH is

This is our first as well, but DH is very penny pinching And I don't mind preloved things, although items like the car seat must be brand new imo.

 

[junbait]

Haha, well that's sweet how excited DH is

This is our first as well, but DH is very penny pinching And I don't mind preloved things, although items like the car seat must be brand new imo.

DH is much more tuned to the aesthetics of our home as well. So he has very particular needs. I was so amused last weekend when we first ventured out to the store to look at baby stuff, he was coordinating colors of the crib and stuff to our existing bedroom furniture (since we plan on the crib being a co-sleeper for a couple of years).

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

I'm envious! I was mentioning decor and themes and DH was like "Wait, we have to decorate?" Course we don't *have* to, just want to!

 

[junbait]

I'm envious! I was mentioning decor and themes and DH was like "Wait, we have to decorate?" Course we don't *have* to, just want to!

That is funny. I'm just glad we are not decorating much. We are having the interior of the house painted to lighter colors, but not exactly doing a nursery. We decided to leave that room in neutral colors until baby is ready to move in and have his own opinion on what he wants the colors and theme to be.

 

[lilmonkey86]

My DH was against previously loved clothes too as this is our first, so I bought a lot of clothes without telling him, then washed and folded them before showing him, when I showed him and I said I got a great deal on some clothes for baby and I already washed them so it doesn't have to be done closer to baby coming, he was so excited about the work being done he didn't even ask if they were used. and the best part is I spent $20 and I have enough clothes that my little guy will not have to wear a single outfit more than once maybe also mention to your DH that most babies only wear an outfit once (if even that) before they out grow it. half the clothes in the lot I bought still had tags on them.

 

[junbait]

My DH was against previously loved clothes too as this is our first, so I bought a lot of clothes without telling him, then washed and folded them before showing him, when I showed him and I said I got a great deal on some clothes for baby and I already washed them so it doesn't have to be done closer to baby coming, he was so excited about the work being done he didn't even ask if they were used. and the best part is I spent $20 and I have enough clothes that my little guy will not have to wear a single outfit more than once maybe also mention to your DH that most babies only wear an outfit once (if even that) before they out grow it. half the clothes in the lot I bought still had tags on them.

That is a brilliant idea. I just might do that. There is a baby consignment store next to the yoga studio I go to.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

If you have a little time on your hands, you can also buy things like the crib/changing table/dresser used, and then sand it and then re-paint it or stain it, so it ends up looking new, perfectly matches whatever colors you want, and costs less.

 

[junbait]

If you have a little time on your hands, you can also buy things like the crib/changing table/dresser used, and then sand it and then re-paint it or stain it, so it ends up looking new, perfectly matches whatever colors you want, and costs less.

Unfortunately no time on hand. I'm working until due date and after work I am so tired I can barely manage to cook some days.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

If you have a little time on your hands, you can also buy things like the crib/changing table/dresser used, and then sand it and then re-paint it or stain it, so it ends up looking new, perfectly matches whatever colors you want, and costs less.

Unfortunately no time on hand. I'm working until due date and after work I am so tired I can barely manage to cook some days.

I had no time either, so we forked out the money for new furniture. But I thought it might be a good idea if you had some nice maternity leave or something.

 

[junbait]

If you have a little time on your hands, you can also buy things like the crib/changing table/dresser used, and then sand it and then re-paint it or stain it, so it ends up looking new, perfectly matches whatever colors you want, and costs less.

Unfortunately no time on hand. I'm working until due date and after work I am so tired I can barely manage to cook some days.

I had no time either, so we forked out the money for new furniture. But I thought it might be a good idea if you had some nice maternity leave or something.

Maternity leave kind of sucks at my company. I get partial pay for 6 weeks and unpaid another 6 weeks. So I'm trying to get back to work as soon as possible.

 

[lilmonkey86]

this forum really makes my heart break for you american ladies! I wish your country would get their act together for your Mat Leave!

 

[Mushymilkfor2]

this forum really makes my heart break for you american ladies! I wish your country would get their act together for your Mat Leave!

It makes me very happy that my husband can support me being a stay at home mom.

 

[lilmonkey86]

12 weeks is not near enough time to be home with your baby, and even being offered 6 weeks with partial pay is like a slap in the face. my cousin was convinced to go back to work after 12 weeks with her first and she cried everyday for the first 2 weeks back, i cant imagine how hard it would be after 6 weeks.

 

[junbait]

12 weeks is not near enough time to be home with your baby, and even being offered 6 weeks with partial pay is like a slap in the face. my cousin was convinced to go back to work after 12 weeks with her first and she cried everyday for the first 2 weeks back, i cant imagine how hard it would be after 6 weeks.

It definitely is not. I am allowed to work from home coming back from maternity, so it's a little consolation that I've to go back after 12 weeks. Fortunately, in-laws are flying here to help take care of the newborn for a couple of months, so I won't have to worry about how the baby is doing in a day care.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

The last job I worked at didn't even have paid maternity leave, I swear the US just doesn't care about maternity leave/pregnancy much in general.