Baby Registry Advice

When it came time for us to register, the obvious choice was Babies r Us.  There are stores everywhere in the US and they have a great selection of items.  I am learning that this may have been a mistake in thinking.  I also registered at Buy Buy Baby, Schneiders Baby and Target for some other things.  I have learned that not only does Buy Buy Baby have better prices but much better customer service.  Well, at least the Buy Buy Baby on 7th Avenue has better customer service than the Babies r Us in Union Square.

My patience has basically waned with each experience with Babies r Us.  The first was that we were not told how much the delivery charge would be for the crib and combo changer we ordered.  This is understandable as the PA store near my parents told us one thing and did not have all information from the Union Square store in Manhattan.  Though it did end up costing us ~$150 that we did not anticipate having to spend.  The next problem arose when I did not get credit on my rewards card for a rather large purchase I made in the store.  I called customer service who referred me to the store for assistance.  So, at 9 1/2 months pregnant, I trekked down to Union Square (not very close to home) to get this resolved.  I spoke to someone in the registry department.  They told me to speak with a Manager.  Well, I spoke to someone in customer service who called the Manager.  The Manager could not be bothered to come down to speak with me rather gave instructions over the phone to the customer service employee.  My issue was not resolved by the store, they referred me to online customer service.  I finally did call customer service (again!) and had my issue resolved my some very patient customer service representative.  Thank you to this person for putting up with my sarcasm and impatience.

The bottom line is that there are tons of boutique-type baby stores in Manhattan that have better prices, better selection and better customer service than the Babies r Us in Union Square in Manhattan.  They are definitely worth checking out for your registry.  The ones that I am familiar with are: Buy Buy Baby, Albee Baby, Planet Kids, Schneider Baby, Giggle and Pottery Barn Kids just to name a few.  In addition to the better prices (sometimes), better customer service and selection, they all offer some kind of online purchase feature too.

Have you had a bad experience with Babies r Us?  Let me know about it!!

Baby J has brought luck to us yet again…

Last night I received a call from Planet Kids telling me that I have won the grandest of all grand prizes.  Now, I had entered a contest while we were there for their anniversary celebration to purchase a Skip Hop Via Messenger diaper bag and also a cup holder for our stroller.  I always enter contests because you just never know!!  Well, we ended up winning a crib and dresser set from the Netto Collection.  It is the the Cub and it is quite impressive.  We already have our crib, dresser and changing table set up in the nursery.  My parents purchased the pieces for us a month or so ago.  However, they will benefit from this contest win as they are the lucky recipients of the crib and dresser set.  Baby J has already won numerous things:  Maclaren Quest stroller, tickets to various events through Big City Moms, Cybex 2.go soft baby carrier, Netto Cub crib and dresser.  I wonder if I should play the lottery and if Baby J will help me win it big!!

Another Big City Moms event that looks like a lot of fun

I am not going to be able to attend due to the arrival of Hunter.  However, this event looks to be fun and I will be sure to attend next year.  Big City Moms is having a Holiday Fun Fest for the whole family on Sunday, November 22nd at the Sports Club/LA.  Please be sure to comment if you do attend.  Big City Moms provides quality events and has never disappointed me.

Planet Kids – Anniversary party this weekend (10/24 & 10/25)

If you have kids or are expecting a child then you should head over to Planet Kids this weekend for their anniversary celebration.  They have 2 locations – one on the UES and the UWS.  Their staff is very helpful and it looks to be a lot of fun.  They will have representatives from various vendors, giveaways, raffles, promotions and refreshments.  Let me know if you do check it out, comments are always welcome.

Good advice for carrying an infant car seat

I found a really good article on Cafe Mom about tips on carrying infant car seats:  http://is.gd/4wATF

Check it out, it may end up helping you prevent that sore back that is bound to occur with carrying an infant car seat.

Baby J/ Hunter has not arrived but he is luckier than I have been my entire life

Ever since finding out that we were expecting, I have been attending events through Big City Moms.  At the first event I won a stroller.  Then I won passes to two different events.  And at this last event, the Biggest Baby Shower, I won a baby carrier.  This is very exciting for me since I have never won anything for me.  However, I have been able to win various items for this baby that is not even born yet!

The baby carrier is by Cybex, a Regal Lager brand.  It is called the 2.Go soft baby carrier.  I had a choice of colors and went with the indigo.  I am very excited to try it out and will be taking pictures once I receive the carrier.  I will post to Facebook and also Twitter so be on the lookout for them. 

Thank you to Cybex for this generous gift.  I never expected to be the one person to win the drawing for this carrier.

Diaper rewards

 

 

I am a sucker for rewards programs.  I have a rewards card to most programs: Babies r Us, CVS, Duane Reade, Hallmark.  I have seen some great benefits come from belonging to these programs.  I was very happy to see that Pampers and Huggies has these great rewards programs too.  You get points for purchases you would make anyway like diapers, wipes and training pants!  Check out their websites for the details: Huggies and Pampers.

Living on the 4th floor of a walkup

We live on the 4th floor of a walkup apartment in Manhattan.  This did not cause many problems prior to being 9 months pregnant.  I took it in stride up until this point.  However, deliveries come to the front door and it is getting harder and harder to get up and down the stairs to sign for them.  For instance, today the dresser for the nursery was delivered and the UPS guy is not allowed to bring it up.  I ran downstairs and then back up again to frantically call my husband, UWS Dad, and our friend so they know that they will have some work on their hands tonight.  It takes longer to catch my breath once I get upstairs but more importantly it is much more difficult to get up the stairs.  The blessing is that this will all be over soon enough.  Baby J is due in 3 weeks (and hopefully will be coming a teeny bit early) and I won’t be leaving the house much after his arrival. Oh!  And I plan on moving to a lower floor before he is 1 year old.

NYC residents – check out these Halloween events around the city

Check out the Big City Moms website for some great Halloween parties for you and your family: http://bigcitymoms.com/upcomingevents.php

They have never disappointed me with their expectant mother events, so check one of the Halloween parties out.  If you do attend, please comment and let me know if you (and your family) liked it.

Pregnancy – the end is near and I am going to miss it

Most women I know can’t wait to deliver their babies.  Though I count myself among them, I also struggle with knowing it will all be over soon.  Of course, I want to meet my new baby boy but I love being pregnant too.  It has been probably the best 9 months of my life.  I have had very few complaints about this time during pregnancy.

I am going to miss a lot of things but there are a few things that will be missed more than others.  I am going to miss being able to sit an entire bus/ subway ride and not have to feel like I should give up my seat.  I am going to miss the pregnancy clothing.  I know most women probably can’t wait to get back into their pre-pregnancy clothing and want to burn the maternity clothes they wore but I loved my maternity outfits and loved not having to deal with zippers and buttons.  I will miss the feeling of being beautiful throughout this pregnancy.  I felt like I did on my wedding day throughout this entire pregnancy.  I did not have major body issues and welcomed the weight gain, though it felt like it came all at once.  I know that it sounds so romantic but I will miss being pregnant and at the same time cannot wait to hold our new baby boy in my arms.