Goody! More Baby Stuff
esterday I did a little more shopping for FutureBaby. I went back to the dreaded, can’t refund my money, Baby Universe and created a registry there. The nice thing about them is that they have a lot of the higher end things I like. (I am still reeling over the fact that the lovely people I work with were planning to get me the Orbit as a shower gift, had I not bought it myself. I work with some cool people!) Also, despite my having to create a date (grrrr), they were cool enough to ask what the event was. And when I selected “adoption” from the list, the registry intro read:
Liana and AdoringHusband’s baby registry, planning an adoption for 12/31/2007. That felt OK.
Surprisingly I ended up finding a bedding set there that I really like. It even matches the color of the walls in the baby’s bedroom. It’s this funky one from Banana Fish: 
I think it is cool! I still like the Gustav & Maxwell one, but this is more unisex.
The next issue was that I still didn’t have a bassinet for the munchkin. After looking at all the awful meringue/wedding cake bassinets out there, I agreed with my previous posters who suggested a co-sleeper. I was all set to add it to my registry. On BabyUniverse I found many versions of the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper. However, (and here’s where the divatude showed up) none of them matched my red/deep purple newly redone bedroom with the red bed. 
It wasn’t until I clicked on one of the option links for the mini co-sleeper that I saw the ideal color: Black & White
Unfortunately none of the places with a registry offered this black/white version. That meant buying it myself directly from Arm’s Reach. Goodness, now what am I going to leave on the registry for my lovely co-workers? 
I also added the Svan high chair to the registry. I think it is wonderful.
For some reason, however, BabyUniverse doesn’t carry the Svan bouncer. 
Lastly, here are some of the questions I had after the BabiesRUs debacle last week:
- For diaper disposal. There are now too many options for me to choose from. It used to be simple: Diaper Genie. Now everyone and his brother has an option. What have you found best for controlling odor?
- Bumbo or Bebe Pod?
- BebeSounds Movement monitor and video monitor?
- Pack and Play in addition to co-sleeper?
- Where can one find a divalicious diaper bag?
- Baby Bjorn carrier?
- What do you think about SleepSacks?
- Swaddle Me? Comfortable or infant straitjacket?
And look at this cool little timer from Itzbeen:
It lets you know how long its been between feedings, naps, etc. I love it, but then again, I am a gadget whore.
This is getting to be kinda fun! 
Wow…you have some awesome taste woman. That bedding is ridiculously cool!
Here are my thoughts. I have the Diaper Dekkor (one on each floor) an think it is way better than anythign else. Hiold tons of dipaers and not a smell out of them to date. I suggest the Bebe Pod as I have heard the Bumbo seat is to be discontinued becasue of falling otu hazards. Dont really think you need a video monitor…it willjst drive you crazy more than anything. You need a pack and play in addition to the cosleeper-they are different things. You dont need one with all the bells and whistles ie changing area, bassinet if you have a cosleeper but you will need the basic pack and play for later as a bed when you go visit. Definitely get the sleep sacks-they are the best thing for baby sleeping and make late night changings easy as pie-get the ones that zip us as well as some sleep gowns. Some babies like to be swaddled and some dont-I would just use a receiving blanket to swaddle to see if baby likes it before you get a swaddle me. Diaper bags are fun and a matter of preference-I have 3. A Longchamp one which is black, stylish and chic and not babyish at all, a fun huge Fleurville Mothership for the pool and beach and a basic smaller guyish navy one from Lands End for Greg. You have to figure what works for you. Addie and I love the Baby Bjorn-I tried the slings and she did not like them and the Bjorn is great for long walks outside and really just aroudn the house when she does not want to be put down and I need my hands free. Have fun with all this! I had ot do it all in a rush AFTER we got baby so you are way ahead of the game.
Ellen: thanks for your detailed reply. I appreciate it. I’m taking lots of notes. I’m still confused about the co-sleeper versus pack & play issue. The co-sleeper says that it travels well and can be used as a bassinet in a hotel or while visiting. Is it really not that portable? I guess when it arrives I can check it out.
You baby will be stylist even before s/he can walk or talk. You have excellent, high end (your words) taste. I am sure you are having lots of fun getting ready. Enjoy!!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Sorry can’t give any expert advice but very happy for you as things move ahead.
* For diaper disposal. There are now too many options for me to choose from. It used to be simple: Diaper Genie. Now everyone and his brother has an option. What have you found best for controlling odor?
We use a Diaper Champ. The advantage to the Champ is that you don’t have to buy special refills for it, you just use regular garbage bags. It contains smell very well, in our opinion. Plus you don’t ever have to worry about the store being out of refill pods for your Genie.
* Bumbo or Bebe Pod?
We had a Bumbo, I liked it a lot. I liked how soft and molded it was. Some people think the Bebe Pod looks nicer but I’ve heard that since the little piece between the legs is manufactured separately, it can come off unexpectedly, which is not too good.
* BebeSounds Movement monitor and video monitor?
We just have the AngelCare movement monitor and it does great. I have not seen the video monitor from BebeSounds in action. I will say that Sharper Image has an AWESOME wireless digital video monitor with a really sharp picture. Most video monitors I’ve seen have a fuzzy picture, sometimes so fuzzy you can’t see what’s going on. This one (sorry I don’t know the brand name) is crystal clear. I don’t think a video monitor is a necessity because with the AngelCare you get the sound and breath/movement monitoring, but I would go high-end on the video monitor if you want one.
* Pack and Play in addition to co-sleeper?
We had both but we have a two-story house and the pack and play was used for naps when we were downstairs. We never made it upstairs with a sleeping baby without him waking up. Having both probably isn’t necessary unless you have a really large home.
* Where can one find a divalicious diaper bag?
The current popular hipster high-end brands are Petunia Picklebottom, OiOi, and Fleurville. The Picklebottom ones are made of a silky brocade fabric and I’ve heard they don’t hold up well. Fleurville bags are laminated or plastic-covered fabric and are easier to clean. There are some nice boutique brands out there, too. Diaperbags.com has a fantastic selection and really great prices with free shipping. I recently bought a Skip*Hop diaper bag from there. You can also look at designer purse brands, many of them have diaper bags too (Coach, Kate Spade, etc.)
* Baby Bjorn carrier?
Baby Bjorns are not good. Babies end up hanging from their crotches and it’s bad for hip and leg development. You need something that distributes weight better. The favorite among informed babywearers is the Ergo carrier, which is almost the same price but is better for baby, more comfortable for parents and lasts longer. If you are in the market for something less expensive I recommend a Moby baby wrap which is great for small newborns.
* What do you think about SleepSacks?
We used one until our DS was 6 months old. With a blanket sleeper and a sleep sack, they stay pretty warm and don’t need a blanket that could possibly get pulled over the face and suffocate them. I would get 3-4 in the 6-month size.
* Swaddle Me? Comfortable or infant straitjacket?
Swaddling was a lifesaver for us because our son was colicky. There are much better options out there than the SwaddleMe, namely the Miracle Blanket. It takes swaddling to a whole different level of effectiveness. You can buy them online. Swaddling is not straitjacketing a baby; they respond well to it because it gives them a feeling of security. They don’t fully understand, in the early days, that their limbs are actually attached to their body and the Moro reflex is very startling to them. I recommend getting at least one swaddle blanket and then buying more if you need it.
I hope everything works out with your adoption, once you get your paperwork completed. Good luck.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your detailed reply. I’ve taken lots of notes!
And by the way, we are finally official. The paperwork is in. We could match any time now.
Video monitor - best purchase ever! I love mine.
Forget Baby Bjorn - everyone I know who has one regrets the purchase. Look at the mai tai’s on http://www.babyhawk.com Much easier to put on and lovely choices to appeal to your divaishness.