It's been nearly six and a half years since the first time I gave birth to my 6-year-old twins. Back then things were simple for my family. Besides not having much -- if any -- money to buy things for our babies, baby equipment and needs weren't as demanding as they are now.
I'm due to deliver my son on Sept. 30, so we're doing some last-minute shopping the weekend before he arrives. I have a written list of baby items we still need including the prices of those items. One reason my family does pretty well now is that I budget our paychecks months in advance so I'll know how much exactly we'll have after bills are paid and groceries and household necessities are purchased. I think my husband gets annoyed with my very organized system, but if I didn't do it we'd probably be struggling just like we did several years ago.
Having this baby was no different. We could've afforded to buy brand new things for the baby but chose to shop frugally and buy second-hand items that were in nearly brand new condition. His bassinet was $10 and looks like it came straight out of the box. We bought it from a woman who works at our toddler's daycare whose own baby just outgrew the bassinet. We bought several bags and boxes of clothes from her also, which were also in like-new condition and some still had tags on them.
But there are some things we must buy like diapers, wipes, nail clippers, baby brush and comb (for that head full of wild Native hair that my kids tend to have), bathtub and some things I'll need as a breastfeeding mom. But I have my little list ready to go for this weekend and have money set aside from our paychecks this week to buy those items. I don't like having surprises like, "well, where did that $20 go?" or "How come we're $50 short on this one bill?"
New baby contraptions have arrived on the market even since our last baby, who was born in Jan. 2007, and I'm not sure exactly what they are or how they work. Needless to say, we're not buying those fancy gadgets. For example, I've seen a Diaper Champ. What is a Diaper Champ? I've heard of a Diaper Genie, but not a Champ. Other items that aren't on my list are sleep sacks, specially made bottles to reduce gas and colic (I won't need bottles, as my 'bottles' are pre-made and are 'on' me at all times), pacifiers that dispense medicine and designer diaper bags. Yes, you read right. DESIGNER diaper bags. The very popular Ed Hardy brand of tattoo-inspired clothing and hats has a line of diaper bags that start at around $170. I can't even imagine spending that much on a bag that's sole purpose is to hold diapers, wipes and extra clothes. I'm all about trying to look like a stylish Momma, but that's freakin' ridiculous.
One thing I've fallen for though is a HotSling. It's a cloth, wrap-style sling that wraps around mom's back and chest and holds that baby right up against her. Plus they come in a variety of cool designs and colors. It's the newer and cooler version of a Snugli. A Snugli is the little carrier that Mom or Dad can wear on their chest or back and the baby sits in. I was never a Snugli-type of Mom, so the HotSling is more 'me.'
I've realized that after four babies and six years, my tastes have adapted with time, but one thing remains the same: I want to be a great mom, but can't help wanting to look good while doing it.
