Baby Shopping

Although I received an incredibly generous amount of baby "stuff" at our showers, there were a ton of little (and big!) things left to purchase.  Since we're almost within 4 weeks of Otto's due date, I knew that sometime soon I'd have to get organized, make a bunch of lists, compile my coupons, and hit Babies R Us for a monumental shopping trip.

Those of you who know me well understand that shopping is one of my least favorite things to do.  So needless to say, I was not looking forward to spending a lot of time (and a lot of money!) in a store that overwhelms me, to say the least.

Fortunately, Susan came to the rescue!  My sister-in-law could compete at the Olympic level if shopping was a sport.  She's the main reason why (if?) I look halfway decent on a daily basis: she forces me to go shopping whenever we're together.  

Another bonus: Susan is the mother of my adorable 4.5-month-old nephew, Dane, so in addition to being a shopper extraordinaire, she is also an experienced baby mama.  She helped me inventory all our baby stuff so I would know exactly what I had and how many of each.  Then she advised me on what I have left to get, and which things I needed before the baby is born versus the things I can wait a few months to buy.

Armed with a list that would rival Santa's, we hit Babies R Us with a vengeance yesterday.  And I'm now happy (and relieved) to report that we are completely ready for this baby (well, let me rephrase: we have all the stuff we need for the baby!).  From diapers to a stroller, from baby bath soap to crib sheets ... my guest room is now a mountain of baby things!

Why the guest room, you ask?  Why not just put things into the baby's dresser where they belong?  Good question!  I received a call from the furniture store this week, informing me that the furniture is scheduled to arrive by the end of March.  I was less than pleased to hear that, considering I was told it would only take 5-7 weeks to arrive, and we are already at 7 weeks now. 

I told the saleswoman that the baby could arrive before the end of March, and asked her if there was anything she could do to expedite the process.  I'm waiting to hear back from her, but I don't have a lot of hope. 

Fortunately, the baby does not need a crib or a dresser, at least not at the beginning.  We have a bassinet we planned to use for the first few weeks anyway, and the baby won't know (or care) whether or not he has a dresser.  But it is seriously hampering my ability to get the nursery organized and DONE!  Deep breaths, deep cleansing breaths ...