Shopping for Baby

Ever since finding out we are having a baby, my mind has been focused on one thing, the nursery!!! I am so excited to start buying things for our nursery, and it has been driving me crazy waiting. We won't be finding out what we are having until I am 20 weeks (which is towards the end of March, ugh!!) however, I can satisfy my need to plan by getting ideas:) We are definately hoping to find out what we are having-pending everything is going normally. My poor sister couldn't find out what she was having until she was 8 months since my niece was breech and backwards, so she ended up having to buy all gender neutral items for her nursery. Fingers crossed we can find out soon, but if not, then that is how God intended and we will make it work:)
 
The two nursery's I like most are below.
 
For a boy, I want to do a green/blue theme with golf accents. Josh is an avid golfer and I just love the preppy/classic look of the golf items in the room. Etsy has some really great items to hang on the walls and with a little creativity I am sure we can figure out some other ways to decorate. I love the green rug below the crib and the little knick knacks on the side table. Nothing overdone, just simple:)
 
For a girl, my thought process is clean and bright, lots of bright pink and grey/white. I love the look of bright pink, it is so cheery and exciting. I just love this little girl nursery!

 

I have been pinning like crazy and browsing websites for nursery items I want. We have decided to buy the Graco Charleston Crib from Target.com. Good tip-if you sign up for the "Red Debit Card" shipping is free. I found this out one afternoon when trying to order it to be delivered to our house, only to find out the shipping price is OUTRAGEOUS!!! Anyways, after a little research, I found out I can order online with the Red Card which is directly connected to my bank account, it is not a credit card at all, and have it shipped for free. The Graco Charleston crib has great safety and usage reviews on ConsumerReports.com. I bought a membership to ConsumerReports the week after I found out I was prego, I wanted to be able to research items and choose the safest/most affordable options. It has been great so far!

 

Some of the other nursery ideas I like include LOTS of chevron! I love the chevron pattern, and found a changing pad cover and diaper caddy on Etsy. Curtains or crib sheets may also be included in this chevron category, but I don't want to overdo it:) Plus, I am still trying to sell Josh on the chevron idea.

 

An upholster glider is a must have for my nursery. It is a beautiful accent and I love how comfy it looks! Babies R Us has a great selection. The one below is one of my favorites, however, it is one of the pricier items on my wish list, so we will see if we will be able to swing that, but I do loooooove it!!

 

Lastly, some of the decoration ideas came straight from Pinterest. All of them look super easy, and I can be somewhat crafty, if I try to be:) I love how easy the pictures above the dresser look. All I need are some cheap white frames and scrapbook paper-easy peasy!!! Also, I love the "laugh love dream play pray" signs below. This shouldn't be too hard with some leftover 2x4's, (Josh is simultaneously finishing our basement, while I work on our nursery....) and some craft paint. Finally, the book case is a must have for any nursery. I cannot wait to acquire a collection of nursery rhymes, disney stories, and fairytales to read out little prince or princess before bed. I am hoping to get lots of books at half priced books or at garage sales this summer!!!

 



The other baby item that has been on my mind alot, other than the nursery, is the carseat and stroller. I know that I want something unisex for this. This way we can use the same carseat and stroller for upcoming kids:) I love the look of the black and grey carseat below. It is a Chicco Keyfit 30. ConsumerReports has it listed as the best and safest carseat for infants. I think the black is so classic and sharp, nothing too cutesy about it, but perfect for a boy or girl. However, the idea I have been wrestling with today is whether we buy the travel system or if we buy the carseat plus the carseat frame. I just don't know how much we will use the bulky stroller that comes with the travel system. It has only taken me a couple of shopping trips with my sister and her kids to realize, those kids would rather be walking than sitting in a stroller, which subsequently ends up being our "shopping bag carrier/purse/coat holder" walking around the mall. I think if I buy the frame and use that until our little one gets old enough for a lighter/umbrella stroller, it would be most cost effective. Anyone else have thoughts on this? I would love any experience you have or suggestions:)

 

 

I look forward to finally going out to buy some of these items, hopefully the crib is the first big purchase we will make by the end of the week. I will keep you updated!!!! Thursday we have our second doctor's appt, and I could not be more excited! I will let you know how it goes, hopefully we will have a better ultrasound picture to post. Until then, goodnight!