So, a quick update: had my 22 week checkup on Friday. Everything's fine and going along just as it should.
Ok, I have to do this post because it has to be done, but it's not my favorite thing. But people have been asking about what things we need and what they can give us, and with that in mind, here you go.
In anticipation of upcoming baby showers (YAY!), we have gone ahead and made baby registries at Amazon and Babies R Us. Here's how we feel about it all: we don't like to waste. So if there are things that we get second-hand, that is fine. Better, even, because less crap in the landfill. And we realize we won't need all the things on these lists. We also realize we'll need things not listed, we just don't know what yet. And yes, some products we are still confused about.
A lot of what's on our registries is there after a LOT of research on each product and what is recommended to last and work the best and hopefully with the least environmental impact. Living in a 1-bedroom means most bulky items are off the table. We do have a certain aesthetic/design that we want to work towards, especially because the baby is going to be living in our bedroom for a while and we are the ones who are going to have to be looking at all the stuff. Plus, come on, we are artists. We just like design. Sites like Ohdeedoh and BloesemKids are really inspiring for creative, cool ways to decorate in an eco-friendly manner and on a budget. But we will never refuse anything offered, and obviously prefer things with sentimental value or handmade love attached to them.
I like our Amazon registry most of all because they have the option of the Universal Registry where you can add items from anywhere on the web. So there is a larger range from which to choose things, like Etsy and Land Of Nod and Fawn & Forest and other fun places.
The more basic items are at Babies R Us. Registering there ended up being an all-day marathon. We really should have brought some knowledgeable parents with us (and a lunch - why does this place not have a cafe inside?), because we were just stymied in every aisle by what we were faced with choosing. We ended up just putting things on the list and then going home and doing much more research on each product and making better choices.
Any clothes we registered for are just there as a guideline as to what we think is cute. It's not any hard and fast rule. And hand-me-downs are most gratefully accepted.
We are also hoping to use a diaper service! There is an excellent one in LA called Dy-Dee Diaper Service and we are looking in to using them after hearing glowing recommendations from friends. If we had a washer/dryer in our apartment we'd just do it ourselves but because we don't, this might be our way to go. Apparently we can register in some manner if people want to pay for a few weeks' service for us, which would be such an awesome gift. I don't know enough about this yet so I will post when I know more.
Also - books! I haven't even tried to register for books because it would just take up a whole library of room. Children's books of all varieties are great. For those living in LA, you can just give us the entire Children's book section at Skylight, because they are all just magical and wonderful and I pretty much want to live there myself.
Ok, that's it. Thank you for your patience and your willingness to help us out. I've already gotten amazing boxes of maternity clothes from family and friends and they have been most helpful. We are so grateful to everyone for their generosity. Most importantly, the baby just needs some love from you, that's all we really care about in the end. The rest will work itself out.
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