Baby stores!

How can something so small need so much crap?  If you have walked into Buy Buy Baby or Babies R Us lately you know what I am talking about.  Besides the lovely smell of baby powder and diapers (ever noticed how all babies smell the same?  More on that later…)  I was immediately struck by how many ridiculous options there are and how many items I never thought I needed immediately became a "must have."  Nose suction thingy? Check.  Rectal thermometer? Check.  $400 stroller? Gotta have 2!

The worst part… I had so much fun!  I am not sure how many Dads will actually admit this but doing the registry thing was way too much fun, if not a little stressful, and not because I got to play with that scanner thing.  It was a whole new world that I only had a little bit of experience through a younger sibling and nieces.  Doing the shopping brought my wife and I together for yet another challenge of compromises, decisions and sacrifices (on my part… j/k).  Not since the wedding did we have to make so many choices in such a short period of time.  Planning the wedding was challenge #1 for our marriage, 5 hours in Buy Buy Baby was challenge #2, 3 and 4…  In the best way possible.

Another crazy thing I noticed is the way retailers are marketing their products to Dads!  Want a Diaper Bag that doesn't scream "I love Vera Bradley hot pink?"  Check out www.diaperdude.com.  I found them at a local store and checked the website.  The inside cover of the bag I got has a check list of necessities; perfect for men that need a reminder every now and then.  The last item at the bottom of the list?  "Baby!"  I appreciate humor like this and say amen to the concept.

Now, about that baby smell.  After many hours of baby sitting and spending time with kids I always wondered why kids had the same smell.  Not poop, spit up or food, but something else I only thought came from diapers or powder.  Nope... today I realized the culprit!  I began doing the baby clothes wash before things get too crazy and opened that new bottle of sensitive baby laundry detergent.  Out came Eau de Baby in all its glory!  Is this what detergent smells like without all the "Gain Freshness?"  I had one of those moments in life where I felt like a mystery had been revealed.  Maybe I am just crazy, but I think those bottles of laundry detergent have made all our kids smell the same.

My final parting word on this topic is possibly the best tip.  There is a magical little book out there that made the entire shopping process a million times easier.  It is called Baby Bargains.  The intention of this book is to save you money but in my opinion it helped my wife and I save our sanity.  The book gives you a report card on each make and model of pretty much anything and even provides their "Good, Better, Best" in many of the categories to hit each price point.

Enjoy the shopping… And don't forget to check Amazon before you buy!

My checklist.

It's not a purse!  It's a shoulder bag for the kids...