ALERT! Pottery Barn Kids

Last week I ordered beautiful baskets for Sophia's changing table. Along with the baskets, I also ordered the scalloped lining to go inside. I had decided to buy from Pottery Barn after going to many retail stores such as Pier 1, Marshall's, Bed Bath and Beyond and Michael's. Online, the baskets looked great and I was very excited to receive them in the mail. Delivery was speedy and I felt the price was reasonable. Unfortunately, I didn't even have to open the box to realize they all needed to be returned.

The smell emanating from the box was horrible. Once opened, the chemical odor was even worse. We aired the baskets out for over 7 days in our garage, and now everything in our garage reaks. My dad travels to China about every two weeks for manufacturing business. He never talks negatively about China because he loves the opportunity it presents to his business. Last night when he was here setting up the crib with Jeff, he admitted that he thought they were made in China. The oil-based smell was typical of many items made over seas.

I am returning them to my local Pottery Barn and I am now on the search for real wood baskets. I'll keep you updated.

The Baby Shower was Awesome!

Hi. Yesterday was my baby shower. Honestly, I was an emotional wreck, but it was truly magical for me. I really am not the type to enjoy the spotlight, but it was fantastic to see all these people gathered in one place to celebrate the miracle of Sophia. After 3 long years, I really enjoyed being the one talking about their child. She deserves all the love that filled the room yesterday.

I was completely taken back by the generosity of my family and friends. This week or next week, I'll be sure to post pictures of items. The posts will focus on quality and assembly. I will try to cover the consumer reports feedback and any other pertinent safety issues that moms and dad need to be held abreast of.

It's been a crazy weekend. Twenty people came over for dinner last night after the shower. My mother in law just left to fly back to NC at 4. It was great having her for the shower. We've been out of the house since 11 because 2 people came to see the house, and I just finished tutoring my sweet nephew. He's the greatest. Now I must go rest. Thanks for reading more to come...

Mattress Update

If one more person tells me how much my belly has dropped, I'll just scream. My due date is June 3rd, but everyone seems to think I'm going sooner. Therefore, my anxiety about getting ready has increased greatly.

After my shower on Saturday, my mother in law will be sleeping over. That Sunday, Jeff and I plan to take apart the bedroom and turn it into the nursery. Yesterday my family bought over the crib and changing table. Last night I ordered the sleep positioner and the new crib mattress.

I found buying the mattress a daunting task because of the regulations and the chances of SIDS. I did research in the March of Dimes, Consumer Reports, About.com, and Baby Catalog. I was happy to find that all the information was similar. The most difficult piece of information was deciding which to buy; foam or coil. The information claimed out of the top 5 mattresses rated safest, the number one mattress was foam.
Knowing that nugget of information along with the other factors listed in my sources, I finally came to my decision.

I purchased the Classica I by Colgate. It is the firmest foam mattress and has the necessary triple protection top. You can purchase the Colgate mattresses from buybuybaby, buy I bought mine at www.kidsurplus.com.
This is an important purchase, take your time like I did

April Showers, mine is next week!!!

My sister and my mom are throwing me a shower next week. My whole life, especially when I was told I couldn't have kids, I always said I wouldn't have a shower. My thinking was influenced by the Jewish thinking that it could jinx things since the baby hadn't safely arrived.

That all changed. When we were told that doctors thought we couldn't have kids, we knew God would be the person to decide our future, not the doctors. With a lot of prayer and unending faith, we were blessed with this pregnancy. Now, I feel chosen by God to provide a life to one of His angels. Knowing that He is all perfect, I now know he can only create perfection, therefore no need to worry about Sophia having not arrived yet before having a shower. You see God has no time for jinx or punishment. I know He will deliver Sophia safely and perfectly when the time is right, therefore there is no need to be nervous about celebrating, GOD will be right there celebrating with us.

Today and tomorrow, my sister, mother and myself will be putting the finishing touches on all plans. I feel so lucky to have those women in my life to spend this memory with me.

If you have a shower to attend in the near future, be sure to shop on Little Baby Headquarters. Many items would make perfect gifts. Check some out:

An Addition to the Jog Stroller Post

As I was at the grocery store this morning, I saw a women struggling with her jog stroller. I wanted to tell you how we chose our new jog stroller.
12 years ago, my sister bought her first jog stroller. Back then these products were not made with rotating front wheels and few had a one-pull collapse option. When it came time for me to choose my first stroller, these options rang loudly in the forefront of my mind. I can remember taking Ryan and Olivia for long walks and feeling like my arms got more of a work out than my heart or legs. When you purchase a jog stroller without the front wheel rotation option, you must push down on the bar and lift the front wheel in order to turn. I was exhausted after a short time at the park, but I still had to get the kids and the stroller in the car. My sister's stroller had a two-step closing process, and it wasn't easy. UGGg!
There are many strollers on the market today that still do not have these wonderful options. I wanted to share with you again, the stroller we chose, so none of you would be spotted pushing down to turn. It's not pretty:)

We chose the Baby Jogger City Elite. Happy shopping and be aware of those options I mentioned. Check out http://www.consumerreports.org/ and shop on
http://www.strollers.com/.

The best baby item; The Glider

Last night, Jeff assembled our glider. My parents were generous enough to buy us our glider, our bumper set and help my sister pay for the shower. By far the best is the glider. It looks great which is a miracle because they could resemble a piece of hospital
furniture. The color of the wood really looks nice against our light walls, and the cushions bring out the girly colors in our unisex bumper set.

I have to admit, that little piece of furniture truly got me excited. The thought that soon, Sophia will be rocking with me in the chair is amazing. We never planned to have a foo foo nursery, but it's the little items that make it all special.

We ordered the Dutailier Glider and ottoman. It was definitely the best one on the floor at Babies R Us. While he was assembling the chair, he remarked on the quality. The best feature was how easy it was to put both pieces together. It took him under 25 minutes, and that's including eating his fudge pop.

I have some new adds along the side, some of which will help you find the best priced glider. Good Luck.

Remember for those other organic and made in the USA products for mommy and baby, go to Little Baby Headquarters.