The Diaper Bag Dilemma

I never expected that shopping for diaper bags, strollers, car seats or even baby mattresses could be so complex and confusing. It's been a social study on the paradox of choice. I have spent a good portion of the last two weekends on the computer and at stores looking at diaper bags, trying to figure out why this one costs $80 and that one costs $165. That doesn't even touch the ones in the $300-400 range (which frankly intrigue me, but don't interest me). I honestly can find better ways to spend the extra $200 than on a bag that is going to hold smelly diapers and rash ointment. I suppose you can say this is also a study in consumerism in America. The number of designer diaper bag choices over $300 is staggering.



Anyway, back to my own personal Diaper Bag Dilemma. I finally decided on a large bag and small clutch.




I chose a large bag from Oi Oi that we could use to throw everything but the kitchen sink for long days or overnight trips. One that is feminine enough for our little girl, but not too feminine that Steve would balk at carrying it. The bag I chose has some neat features - outside drink holders for baby or parents, inside there is also an insulated bottle bag and plenty of pockets, there is a wipe bag and a large changing pad that is relatively padded. It also has options for hanging the bag over your shoulder, on the stroller or on a shopping cart. Pretty much everything you need in a waterproof and easy to clean bag. My mom and I found one on the rack on Saturday, but I opted to buy one on line so that mine could be brand-spanking new. Also, I found found a site which features coupon codes which had a coupon for $10 off at http://www.diaperbag.com/, and that site offered free shipping SO - I got a bag which retails at $110-120 for $90. Yay me!







As soon as I saw how large the multi-purpose diaper bag was, I realized I needed something smaller for everyday use. There are, again, a large number of options for these as well. I selected a Reese Li option because of the ease of getting to the wipes, I preferred the removable changing pad to the connected one, and because of the fabric options. The one I chose will go with the stroller set we chose and can hang on the handle-bar or slip into one of my larger purses.

Nursery Furniture - check

Well, we did it! We ordered our nursery furniture yesterday. After all the shopping and trying to compromise on a style for the room, we walked into a wonderful store around the corner from our house to look at a glider and found nursery furniture we both like. The good news is that it should arrive in 4-6 weeks - just in time to set up the room! So without further prolonging the suspense, here it is...

Our Crib:

With the toddler bed conversion kit:

Our Combo Dresser/Changing Table:

The first set of bedding (we both liked the style and the colors, which are both feminine and contemporary):

The whole reason we went to the store in the first place was to look at this rocker/glider (which we ordered, with the ottoman) in brown:

We also broke down and ordered a bassinet. We weren't going to buy one because we weren't excited about anything we saw. But this one is perfect for us. It is exactly the right height for the bedroom. Also, we both like that it's features are minimalist and that the bedding portion is soft and well padded. It is also removable so that we can move it easily from room to room with us. Also the bedding fits nicely into the crib, which will help baby get used to the crib when we move her out of our room:

Still looking for the perfect bedding...

I found one Rose and Stars option that I really like at Posh Tots. It would look great in the baby's room without having to change the paint, which is a soft green already - though our room is painted a subtler green than the one in this picture. I also think the bedding would look fantastic in the espresso sleigh bed from Pottery Barn that we chose. And I can add cute lamb accents to the room along with roses and stars.




I also like these:

Sea Holly by NurseryWorks

Lulu Nursery by Serena and Lily

Garden by Dwell Studio

More Nursery Fun from the OCD One

So, I couldn't stop once I started. I still can't find a cute lamb nursery bedding, but I found some other very cute nursery items!

First, I found these cute cuddly lamb towels:

Then I came across this sweet dog rocker:

Which led me to look for a lamb rocker and I found these:

Ready to Decorate the Nursery!

Steve and I finally settled on a layout for the nursery and picked a crib. Here it is, except it will probably be dark brown.

I'm having a hard time picking out the bedding and other linens for the nursery. I am pretty sure I want to do a lamb theme. But I can't find one that I love. A friend of mine found out that Restoration Hardware just started offering baby furniture and linens. I found a fantastic option.... if we were having a boy. Unfortunately, this set only comes in blue, but isn't it cute?

I also found two moses basket options for the first several weeks. There is just a simple moses basket from RH which comes with a rocker (no wheels). And one at Pottery Barn that isn't as cute (wonder if the linens can be changed?) but has wheels!