Keeping up with the Joneses..Baby Style

Ever since I began registering for Emily, I have seen how much stuff there is out there for new moms and babies. I mean it is completely overwhelming. I remember feeling unsure that I could do it, the first time I stepped into Buy Buy Baby. It was just too much.

Well in registering there are those things that people say you just have to have! And can I just say that we still have not used two of the more expensive items on that list? They are just sitting in the closest and we have yet to use them. I am thinking we will, but part of me thinks that if we have not after six months..will we?

One of those is our video baby monitors. Now I know several of you mothers probably just gasped as you read this. But our house is set up where we can hear Emily from any room. And to be honest, I have felt safe with her up there sleeping and not felt the need to monitor her every move. The sad thing is that mess was expensive and now I am wondering if we can return it. Also I wonder if we still will use it. But I felt like I had to have it.

The other thing that sits in the closet still is the Baby Bjorn. We have not been anywhere at this point where we have needed it. I know that too may come later, but Emily is so small that I am hoping we can use it for a little longer than some other people may be able to. But again, it was not cheap...we got it as a present. But still not cheap.

All this to say, that even now as she grows, there are things that initially I think, "Oh she needs that." Does she really? Or is it my need to keep up with the latest baby trends? Granted I wanted Emily to have what she needs to grow and thrive..but at this point, I think a lot of the baby products are too much. I mean we all survived without all the bells and whistles they have now.

All this is coming from a mother who has been for a few weeks researching and looking to see whether to get Emily an exersaucer, bouncer, or walker. They are not cheap either and there are varying opinions on each. But the other night as we were at church, I saw that they have bouncers and exersaucers. And I thought about how they have them at daycare. And I thought to myself..."You know maybe that is enough...maybe she can just use them there." Because in reality we hold her or play with her most of the time when we are home. So I gave myself permission to take a pass on this and quit trying to keep up with the Baby Joneses!