Baby Registry

I can't believe it is that time already! Time to register for our baby shower(s). We never had much of a registry for our wedding so this was a completely new experience for us. We got tons of advice about what we needed and what we didn't, but it all just seemed extremely overwhelming. It doesn't help that every baby is different and a product one mom swears by is just wasted money for another.

We took a lot of advice from my sister who just had a baby and did a lot of research online on blogs and message boards and finally felt ready to make our registry this past weekend.So this is how we navigated the process and began the road to parenthood, one kid-tested, mother-approved product at a time.

1. Step One - Research
We did a lot of research before we even thought about entering a baby store. This was especially helpful with big items like strollers and car seats. With baby stuff there seems to be a few main brands that make everything and a lot of people tend to stay within a brand to make their life easier. In our case, we first decided we wanted a travel system jogger stroller. For those not in the know with the baby stuff lingo this meant we wanted a three-wheeled stroller with big wheels that is meant for jogging and walking on rough terrain. This was best for us because we live in Charleston and spend a lot of time on old cobblestone streets and at the beach. A travel system is a stroller/car seat combo that work together so you can take your baby from the car to the stroller without ever having to take them out of the car seat. A lot of companies make these travel systems and they are perfect for the suburban parent who is constantly in and out of their car. We decided on the Graco Relay Performance Jogger and the Snugride 30 Click Connect Car Seat.

2. Step Two - Go Register
Forgo starting your registry online because the big stuff you've got to try before you commit. So go to Baby's R Us, Buy Buy Baby or whatever baby retailer you have near you and try out the strollers, carry the car seat and try to imagine all this stuff fitting in your house. We made a lot of last minute changes after we got to the store based on size/weight and durability.

3. Step three - Know You Wont Do It All At Once
There is so much stuff in those baby stores that you can get overwhelmed really quickly. My first tip is to eat right before you go, because it will take you at least an hour or two to get just the basics done. You can always add to your registry online later.

So those are my tips for first-timers like me who had no idea how much stuff a tiny person will need.

XOXO

Lisa