Unwanted Baby Gifts

[MamaCollege]

I feel for you in regards to not having a baby shower. I am only 8 weeks along but I know I will have the same thing as you. My family lives extremely far away along with all my friends. It is logistically impossible and hard to throw a baby shower. I am not bummed about it though. I was thrown a wedding shower by my mother-in-law and it was really really nice and thoughtful of her. Unfortunately it was all her friends and family and none of my family was there (they were invited it was just over 1000 miles away for them). That was the only shower I had too so when I look back at that, I am okay with not having a baby shower. I think you have these grand ideas in your head of how you picture things going when you are growing up and when they don't turn out that way it is very disappointing. I am almost 30 but you can't help get a little upset now and whn you think about those things. Every woman deserves a great baby shower and I agree with you, it totally helps having one when you look at how expensive everything is. I know we will still get gifts, it is not the same. There is something about your friends and family fussing over you that you just have to love when you are pregnant. I like you am always overly generous with gifts, I am learning to tone that down. I was extremely puzzled when my own sister-in-law didn't even give my husband and me a wedding gift - I thought that was very strange. My husband said she contributed to a shower gift but that was a shower gift. Everyone at the shower I had sent additional wedding gifts... I don't want to seem selfish in that it is all about the gifts, it really isn't, you just want to know people do support you and help celebrate an important life change.

Keep your chin up, maybe spoil yourself with something nice after the baby is born like a nice birthstone set with your babies birthstone? If you lived in DC - I'd throw you a shower!

[New Mommy 808]

Wow, xxfrostygirlxx.

I'm so sorry. I feel for you. I was always the one to throw people there baby showers, and ever bridal showers. I was lucky enough that my friends from work got the hint to throw me one when I mentioned that my mom was going to be in town and that it would be nice if she could be at my baby shower. Besides that, my boyfriend was raving about how his family throws the greatest baby showers...well I'm 36 weeks right now, Doc says I'm due a week early and still no "Awesome" baby shower like everyone else in the family had. And I even gave um the little personalized cards you get from Babies R Us when you register. I think what makes it harder for me is that I have no family here...they are a long ways away. I do have to say, that his oldest sister was sweet enough to get me a bunch of stuff from her sister-in-law that is still like new. I guess I was really looking forward to the party and the fun and memories that go along with it.

My girlfriend is also pregnant with her first (we're a week apart and are having boys) and her and her fiance have no family here either so they threw themselves a Baby Q...guys and girls invited, and they got a lot!

As far as getting gifts you don't need/want...I think that sucks when people don't respect your requests (like wanting to only use cloth diapers...I applaud you by the way). Stick to the Registry!

[New Mommy 808]

Awe...MamaCollege.

I just read your post...you're so sweet. =)

[New Mommy 808]

Oh and that reminds me...Gifts un needed/wanted.

I received three packs of premie diapers...with clearance stickers on them, so you know I can't really return um and one was opened for a game. Everyone said...oh he's going to be small, or he can fit um the first couple days. Hello! I think my baby is already 7 pounds...no way he's going to fit in those. I plan on donating them, or I can give them to one of the ladies in the hospital at the same time as me if any of them have premie babies.

If anyone in Vegas needs premie diapers...let me know. =)

[JWills]

Funyn that I came across this post. I was just on the babiesrus website, looking for items that I did not receive. I only had one regirsty, and that was at babiesrus. I got alot of clothes, mostly in newborn/0-3, but I did get some in bigger sizes. Other than that, I only recived a small handfull of items that I had on my regisrty. I am grateful for that, but still. I didnt have a whole lot on there, and only two items were really pricey (stoller/car seat combo and cradle swing). It would have been more helpful to me if I had received the items that I put on the registry, instead of everyone "guessing" at what I needed. I have onsies out the butt! And dont even get me started on towels/washclothes! It was nice to recive these items, but I seriously have enough to clothe/bath triplets!

[lovin3]

Myboysmom- My oldest just turned 3 and my second is 15 month. I'm due with number 3 in 5 1/2 weeks already! I'm happy to have all boys since they are so close together, but I'd love a girl some day! How are your first two adjusting to the new addition? BTW- he looks like a cutie.

xxfrostygirlxx- Although a shower is a huge help when you are preparing for baby's arrival, maybe people will send gifts after the baby is born. If people missed my shower, they were more likely to send the gift after he was born. Like the Baby Q idea, maybe you could just get together to celebrate the baby's arrival with a few friends who live in the area. Maybe you have a friend and/or family member who could help spread the word about your registry even if you don't have a shower.

[myboysmom]

lovin3, sorry I didn't reply sooner, I just read this. The older two just love him. They want to hold him all the time and my 2 yo calls himself my "big helper" or "good helper". It's too cute! OMG, how are you going to handle 3 boys 3 and under? LOL I feel like I'm at my wits end sometimes, and my oldest just turned 5 on the 14th. It sounds like you're ready for it, though, I'm sure you'll be just fine. Thanks for the compliment!

[lovin3]

I think my 3yo will be okay. He seems to understand that he's going to have another brother. Also, I had a nanny gig when he was born, so he's always had other kids around. Right now, they come back to my house, so when the baby is born, I'll have a child in each year- 0,1,2,3 and 4! I'm most concerned about my youngest. He can be quite the green-eyed monster if I'm holding another baby. I'm sure everyone will eventually adjust. Fortunately, my husband works seconds, so he'll be around to help during the day. It will just be bedtime that might be a challenge. I'm just glad to see that I'm not the only one three for three in the boy department! Maybe a girl someday!

[myboysmom]

bedtime is tough!! My hubby works 2nd too, and the best piece of advice I can give you after almost 4 weeks is: start early! LOL It always seems like the baby inevitably needs to eat right when I'm brushing teeth or reading a story. We're still working on it, and now that my oldest is starting his first year of school on Tuesday, I'm really going to have to get it pulled together at bedtime!
How in the world do you handle all those kids?? I admire you for doing that.

[lovin3]

I am really hoping that since it is starting to get dark a little earlier that things will be a little easier. I'm also hoping that I get a really mellow baby (obviously no guarantee on that one!). Right now my two boys sleep in the same room so we have the routine of putting the youngest to bed first and waiting until he's asleep until we put our oldest to bed. As for the four, soon to be five, kids that keep me busy all day- it can be tough at times, but atleast I'm able to be home with my boys. I can't imagine having to leave them. The oldest will be going back to preschool in September which will be a nice break, and since my husband is home until 2-2:30 in the afternoon, he can help with our boys quite a bit. Did I read somewhere that you were going to try to nurse? What do your boys think about that? I'm afraid that my 3yo will realize that it is the perfect opportunity to get into everything! Good luck with the school thing- getting into the swing of things with a new baby will take a little adjustment, I'm sure. Maybe the cooler weather (hopefully soon, although I'm not looking forward to a snowy Michigan winter) and earlier darkness will help your cause, too.