Thank you!

chayer227 · April 2011

To the ladies I met today, to those who have offered great money-saving baby advice, and to those who have provided remote support...

THANK YOU!!!

Sometimes it amazes me how "strangers" can be more supportive than those who are expected to provide support and love (family and friends). Meeting up with you girls today at Wild Willy's was the best part of my day, by far! After, I went shopping - fairly unsuccessfully - then went to my parent's house, where my mom and one of my sisters minimized all of my concerns (even my latest pregnancy-health worries!), judged my financial fears, and proved (once again) that they are completely clueless about safely and efficiently providing for a child these days. I'm not sure why I even bother talking with them about anything anymore.

example: mom doesn't think it's a big deal to not have a crib yet, since I won't need it for a few months. While this may be true, I will have ZERO income in a few months, and if we end up with one more "surprise" medical bill, or if BF'ing doesn't work out, we're screwed financially. (Neither of our moms has followed through with their offers to buy a big-ticket item for us, so we've had to get more ourselves than we originally expected to). I could go on and on, but I'll spare you.

So, THANK YOU!!!

MainelyFoolish · April 2011

It was nice to meet you too! I had a great time seeing everyone yesterday at lunch.

Try not to worry too much about every possible scenario of things that can go wrong. It's good to be aware and make plans but don't get so bogged down in the "what-ifs" that you miss out on the good things happening now. Enjoy the last few weeks of feeling that baby rolling around in your belly and the anticipation of meeting your little boy.

My DD didn't have a crib until she was a month old. I actually ordered it when I was 22 weeks pregnant with a projected delivery time of 8 to 12 weeks...yeah, it was a bit delayed! I was disappointed that I didn't have a crib to put in my pretty nursery before the baby arrived but in the end it didn't matter much. DD slept nights in the pack-n-play in our bedroom for the first few months because it was easier for me that way.

If you do want to get the crib now, you can pick up a crib and mattress at Ikea for $105. Or you could order a set from Walmart for $137. They're not fancy but they'll give your baby a safe place to sleep.

MA&CB · April 2011

It was nice to meet you too! It's hard not to be stressed out about those things, and you're absolutely right that there will always be expensive things that come up. I think that happens to all of us - you think you've got everything figured out or you're finally getting head, and your car breaks or you have some medical emergency. The crib thing will be okay though. Marcus slept in his pack and play in our room until past a year. We did get our crib from MH's parents, but if not, I was totally prepared to buy one of the ikea cribs. I actually really liked them because they have good safety ratings, are simple and small.