Now that Boo is well on the way to boy-hood, I've been spending a lot of time weeding through the 1st-year stuff, putting some in storage (for #2?) and some giving some away. During the process, I reflected on all the stuff we bought and the things that really worked (and those that seemed like good ideas at the time, but weren't). Here's my list.
My top 3 made-life-good baby purchases:
McClaren Volo Stroller: We bought this at Christmas in the US (hello! Exchange rate!) and I totally love it. I wish the back reclined but I’m willing to have that limitation for the ease of use, and the fact that it only weighs 8 pounds. Travelling and day-to-day are so much easier. I went to Rome and Paris in February and those trips went smoothly because I could manage all the stuff. This stroller played a big part.
Ergobaby carrier: Thanks to a friend and Parisienne Mais Presque I bought the ergobaby in the pre-Christmas trip to US panic. I’m so glad I did. We use it all the time.
Robeez booties: A friend sent Robeez shoes last summer, but it was the booties that did the trick: Cute, warm, and Boo couldn’t pull them off!
Top 3 seemingly cool things I could live without
Walker: I loved the design of this walker so much I sprung for Boo’s birthday. So far he hardly uses it and it just takes up space. (Although at least it looks cool unlike the useful, but ugly, empty Pampers boxes as toy crates)
Doomoo seat: Same for the doomoo seat. Although I recovered it and now that he’s bigger he likes to climb on it, so maybe I’ll change my mind. It definitely didn’t work as a transat.
Diaper bags: Somewhere I read the advice that diaper bags weren’t necessary but ended up buying two designer bags. I detest them both. They are bulky and difficult to carry. I use one for the to-and-from the nounou, but otherwise, I just have a couple of different size Longchamp pliage bags that work great – they are stylish and although they don’t go into the washing machine with the leather trim, the nylon sack can be spot cleaned.
3 other things that work but wish could be better
Car Seat: I bought this car seat on the advice of a German friend. It has received high safety ratings for it’s design which allows and impact to be carried forward, limiting risk of cranial injury. Also, if you are in an accident they will replace it for free, even if there is no apparent damage. However, without the 5 point harness, Boo tends to slide down in the seat now matter what adjustment I make. It’s getting better now that he’s bigger but still annoying. Also, with the summer months and even with the A/C cranked up, he gets hot.
Stokke high chair: I chose this chair because we have a small kitchen with absolultely no room to store a big high chair with tray, even folded up. This one has no tray – the child sits at the table, and is “evolutive” meaning that it is multi-age, and multi-use. It fits at our table in the eat-in kitchen but it’s difficult to get Boo in and out – it doesn’t adjust and the bar is wood so he’s always twisting his legs in unnatural ways to sqeeze in. Also, having him eat of the table is a nightmare.
Bebeconfort Loola Stroller System: It was GREAT for the first 9 months. It was so easy to take him in and out of car and CLICK into the chassis. I recommend to all my friends to ONLY buy the car seat and chassis and forget the rest of the re-use idea. With the stroller seat the thing weighs a ton, and I can hardly get it out of the car. We were seduced by the all-in-one idea, but we still ended up owning 3 strollers before Boo turned one.
Photos courtesy of: Myself, Little Fashion Gallery, Doomoo, Mcclaren, Robeez, Baby-Walz.
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