Gigglin' This Weekend!

I just found out that one of my baby registry stores, Giggle, just opened a Washington, DC Metro area location! For those of us in the "DC Metro area" hip to this marketing lingo--that usually means suburban Maryland--and is most certainly true in this case as well.

For those of you in the "DC Metro Area" the new Giggle Maryland store is located at The Shops at Wisconsin Place: 5330 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815--Good old Montgomery County. Capital Beltway here I come.

In addition to Babies R Us, I chose Giggle for their bold, modern selection of baby gear. You would be hard pressed to find any pastels or ruffles there.

I hear the NYC Soho and UES stores are crazy on weekends--and since I prefer online shopping to avoid crowds, I'm hoping this new store won't be all the way crazy, just yet. Yeah right.

Depending on what they have in-store in stock, I plan to possibly purchase our stroller...

and bassinet...

A friend who purchased her stroller at the NYC store told me that they will assemble everything in-store for you and of course show you how to use it. Music to Charm City Daddy's ears.

Moreover, if you want or need the help, they also have personal shoppers (in-store or long-distance) ready to help you with anything you need.

So as Jerry Maguire once said, "Who's coming with me?"

Disposable or Cloth Diapers?

Can somebody help me, please?

In my frenzy to quickly register for the baby shower which has been moved up to June 13th (because of bachelor parties, weddings, travel, and life) I am having a hard time making what should be fairly simply decisions.

Just when I thought I had a good handle on what we need, I get to the "potty" category of the registry and lose it.

I like the cost-effectiveness and earth-friendliness of cloth diapers, but also like the convenience of disposable diapers--particularly when traveling. I suppose I could use them both, but if I were to choose cloth diapers--which brand is the best?

I like this hybrid starter set from Bambino Mio, but I haven't heard much about it, and I'm not sure who has considering it's "new."

And then you have these gDiapers, which are all cloth, require covers.
Then you have Bumkins Bamboo diapers, cloth require covers. Then you have all-in-one diapers like these and it goes on and on and on.

What in the world am I supposed to pick?! No wonder pregnant moms have emotional breakdowns in the middle of stores. Geez.

I'm taking advice or just your vote if you've got no experience. What should I pick?

Untouchables...

Just as soon as I write a post about the difficulty of registering, I find a bottle that I can't really register for...

This dilemma reminds me of a funny story. The other day when I was telling Charm City Daddy that registering is so hard b/c it's hard to choose just one or two stores for everything. He responded, "I know, its like we need to find a 'Brookstone Baby' and all of our prayers would be answered."

*I paused* Must.keep. straight. face. lips. tight. hold. breath.

It was all I could do to hold back bursting into laughter b/c he was serious. I love that man. But honeslty, I believe this bottle would be at his "Brookstone Baby" store.

Time to Register...

My mom, 'Charm City Grandma', and friend (who is also expecting--yay!) informed me this weekend that they are in the beginning stages of planning Charm City Baby's shower. Yay!

Being the control freak that I am, CCG and friend have tried to let me know some details and run some things by me because my loving mother aims to please. Thanks mom. :)

So while I don't know everything (and I'm okay with that) I do know that the shower will be:

• For the ladies--and GENTS!
• Saturday, June 13th!
• At Our Home!
• A Backyard BBQ!

Charm City Daddy is excited (so I am). He wants to tent the backyard and have a live band (possibly rehire our wedding band)! That would be a lot fun, actually. But there we go "controlling" again...

Initially CCD and I were planning to have a big "Baby Clam Bake" with a raw oyster bar ( b/c I miss them so much during pregnancy) at our home in September to celebrate the arrival of Charm City Baby. It was then that we were going to tent the backyard, hire the band, etc. I'm thinking we may be too overwhelmed with CCB at that point for such an elaborate affair. Hmm.

Anyway, with the shower coming I need to take some time to register---BUT WHERE?

I have a love/hate relationship with registries. First of all, (as I learned during my wedding) I only do it online. Forget the store madness and getting the right color/styles, etc. Second, I do it alone. Charm City Daddy wants no parts of it--except maybe the carrier that will be strapped to his chest. I will show him the list and get his input on bigger items but let's face it--tis I that does the baby product research.

I'll most likely use this checklist as I have found it to be the most comprehensive. But the question remains where should I register?

Please, leave a comment and tell me where to go and if you've done this baby thing before, the "must-haves."