Questions 5/2

[HoneySpider]

What are some good places to shop online for maternity dresses?

I would like to get a dress (or maybe 2, if I find 2 I love/can afford) for my showers. The first is on May 29 and since this month is going to be insane for me, I realized I better try just ordering a bunch of stuff online since I don't know when I'm going to get to the stores.

So, suggestions for places to check out, preferably with free shipping/free returns? I don't have a set budget, I haven't spent much on maternity clothes and I've been planning on this being a splurge item since I want something I love and feel great in. I would say definitely under $100 though.

[Mrs.flang]

I've seen a lot of options and cute ones on Asos, and they seem to always have a lot of stuff on sale.  I've never ordered from there but I think there's free shipping.

[simpsongal]

I'm not sure about their return policy, but I got my shower dress from Seraphine.  They're really nice.  It was the same one Princess Kate wore and just lovely. It looks like Destination Matenity carries some Seraphine too, including the knot front dress (so flattering!).

[numbers]

Ditto simpsongal that Seraphine has great baby shower dresses. Amazon carries the brand and they have free ship/return.

[ouokie]

I bought a dress off of Pink Blush around Easter. It is probably the softest material ever. I'm using it for my maternity pictures on Thursday.
www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-7693-ivory-lace-belted-maternity-dress.aspx?DepartmentID=1

[mrsp7309]

I also got some dresses from Pink Blush Maternity around Easter. I love them, they're so cute!

[bk1]

Last time all my clothes came from Old Navy, Target, and Motherhood. I'll shop the same places this time. 

[HoneySpider]

Thanks!

[luv2rn4fun]

I have a lot of Motherhood dresses from.last time that i love. Currently looking for a new dress for a wedding later this month. Destination Maternity has buy one get one 50% off sale items. Two dresses are coming out to $45 pre tax and shipping.

[elliemonster21]

HoneySpider Huge fan of asos! For 180 and a sale, I got 3 different options and just sent back the two I liked least! They send you a return label for free shipping back, too. I had my refund in under a week! Material on the one I have is GREAT and I tried it on last night just out of curiosity if it would still fit as the material is made to grow with you, and it did! Sign up for the emails and you'll get a discount on a full priced item!

[elliemonster21]

Anybody know what their fluid levels were at late in their pregnancy? I was in L&D the other day to rule out a leak but turns out I'm just super dischargy. Cool!

Anyways, my fluid is at a TWENTY which is awesome for baby! I guess they only need like 8 according to my doctor but I'm guessing that means I am a really far way away from labor lol. 3 days til my due date!

[callmehales]

May 2, 2016 15:19:25 GMT -5 elliemonster21 said:

Anybody know what their fluid levels were at late in their pregnancy? I was in L&D the other day to rule out a leak but turns out I'm just super dischargy. Cool!

Anyways, my fluid is at a TWENTY which is awesome for baby! I guess they only need like 8 according to my doctor but I'm guessing that means I am a really far way away from labor lol. 3 days til my due date!

or it's gonna be like a tidal wave when your water breaks, lolllll

[elliemonster21]

May 2, 2016 15:45:48 GMT -5 callmehales said:

May 2, 2016 15:19:25 GMT -5 elliemonster21 said:

Anybody know what their fluid levels were at late in their pregnancy? I was in L&D the other day to rule out a leak but turns out I'm just super dischargy. Cool!

Anyways, my fluid is at a TWENTY which is awesome for baby! I guess they only need like 8 according to my doctor but I'm guessing that means I am a really far way away from labor lol. 3 days til my due date!

or it's gonna be like a tidal wave when your water breaks, lolllll

Hahahhahahahhahaahahahaaahaa right?! There will be no question!

[HoneySpider]

May 2, 2016 13:11:35 GMT -5 ouokie said:

I bought a dress off of Pink Blush around Easter. It is probably the softest material ever. I'm using it for my maternity pictures on Thursday.
www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-7693-ivory-lace-belted-maternity-dress.aspx?DepartmentID=1

This is my style and super cute - I may have to try this one!

[elliemonster21]

May 3, 2016 7:09:29 GMT -5 suzv said:

Quick backstory so that this question makes sense: I'm a teacher at an elementary school, but I am not an employee of the district. I'm employed by an educational intermediate unit that contracts specialty teachers to districts who need them (speech, OT/PT, ESL,etc.) At the end of every school year, I am required to bring back all my curriculum to the intermediate unit central office.

I'll be 20 weeks when I need to move my stuff. It will involve moving about 10-12 boxes of various sizes onto a dolly from my classroom, down an elevator, and then putting them in my car. My H is offering to take the morning off to help me with this, but I feel bad asking him to take time off. I'm not sure how I will feel at 20 weeks though. Is this something you would want help with?

I felt like super woman at 20 weeks, lol. I was pretty independent this whole pregnancy, but I wouldn't do it if the boxes were heavy and you had to lift them on and off of the dolly to avoid straining yourself! Is there maybe somebody from maintenance that would be willing to help just so you can avoid having H take off?

[ratherbepaddling]

May 3, 2016 7:09:29 GMT -5 suzv said:

Quick backstory so that this question makes sense: I'm a teacher at an elementary school, but I am not an employee of the district. I'm employed by an educational intermediate unit that contracts specialty teachers to districts who need them (speech, OT/PT, ESL,etc.) At the end of every school year, I am required to bring back all my curriculum to the intermediate unit central office.

I'll be 20 weeks when I need to move my stuff. It will involve moving about 10-12 boxes of various sizes onto a dolly from my classroom, down an elevator, and then putting them in my car. My H is offering to take the morning off to help me with this, but I feel bad asking him to take time off. I'm not sure how I will feel at 20 weeks though. Is this something you would want help with?

I'm pretty stubborn and have lifted some things that I've regretted...woops. I would recommend asking for help  

[elliemonster21]

May 3, 2016 8:01:20 GMT -5 ratherbepaddling said:

May 3, 2016 7:09:29 GMT -5 suzv said:

Quick backstory so that this question makes sense: I'm a teacher at an elementary school, but I am not an employee of the district. I'm employed by an educational intermediate unit that contracts specialty teachers to districts who need them (speech, OT/PT, ESL,etc.) At the end of every school year, I am required to bring back all my curriculum to the intermediate unit central office.

I'll be 20 weeks when I need to move my stuff. It will involve moving about 10-12 boxes of various sizes onto a dolly from my classroom, down an elevator, and then putting them in my car. My H is offering to take the morning off to help me with this, but I feel bad asking him to take time off. I'm not sure how I will feel at 20 weeks though. Is this something you would want help with?

I'm pretty stubborn and have lifted some things that I've regretted...woops. I would recommend asking for help  

Agreed. Lol. And then you are sore for like....5 days.

[BeagleMama]

Question: do I need a auto Rock 'n Play and a swing?

I'm reviewing my lists of things-to-get after my shower and want to prioritize what we still need or want to get. I've heard differing opinions from friends (from 'buy all the things just in case" to "a baby doesn't need multiple swing options"). We have a small home and I want to limit the baby stuff as much as possible.

What say you?

[callmehales]

May 3, 2016 10:28:20 GMT -5 BeagleMama said:

Question: do I need a auto Rock 'n Play and a swing?

I'm reviewing my lists of things-to-get after my shower and want to prioritize what we still need or want to get. I've heard differing opinions from friends (from 'buy all the things just in case" to "a baby doesn't need multiple swing options"). We have a small home and I want to limit the baby stuff as much as possible.

What say you?

i would get 1 and see if baby likes it.

[cmarie11]

May 3, 2016 11:32:57 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Question: where on earth do you even begin researching things like car seats, strollers, etc.? I feel so overwhelmed by all the options that I just sit here, paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices out there. I already know I'm going to spend about 1,000,000 times more than I need to on baby crap, but I'd love to know if there are any great sources to weed through it all and figure out what's best.

Lucie's List is a great website. I really like their e-mails too.

[cmarie11]

May 3, 2016 13:20:13 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

May 3, 2016 12:58:32 GMT -5 cmarie11 said:

Lucie's List is a great website. I really like their e-mails too.

Thank you! This is awesome and I already love this lady based on her essay on how to feed your kid. 

Haha yes! She is witty and hilarious.

[numbers]

May 3, 2016 11:32:57 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Question: where on earth do you even begin researching things like car seats, strollers, etc.? I feel so overwhelmed by all the options that I just sit here, paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices out there. I already know I'm going to spend about 1,000,000 times more than I need to on baby crap, but I'd love to know if there are any great sources to weed through it all and figure out what's best.

Ditto Lucie's List, and also Baby Bargains: www.amazon.com/Baby-Bargains-furniture-strollers-maternity/dp/1889392499

[cabbagecabbage]

May 3, 2016 11:32:57 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Question: where on earth do you even begin researching things like car seats, strollers, etc.? I feel so overwhelmed by all the options that I just sit here, paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices out there. I already know I'm going to spend about 1,000,000 times more than I need to on baby crap, but I'd love to know if there are any great sources to weed through it all and figure out what's best.

Car seats for the Littles on Facebook is so useful for car seat info: choosing for your car and budget, installation, and use.

[HoneySpider]

My shower invitations just went out last week and already both of my registries have been hit a lot harder than I imagined. DH's aunt took out half of what was left on our Amazon yesterday in one fell swoop, she basically bought every item under $25 that was left.

I might add a few more things but I don't want to add items just for the sake of adding. If there isn't much left, do you think people will be more inclined to give gift cards or go off registry? I would love to receive gc because we'll probably be left with the largest items to have to buy, but I know a lot of people hate giving them as gifts.

I didn't expect this to be a potential issue - my showers will be small and we added (we thought) plenty of things. Seems everyone is just going for multiple smaller items instead of one bigger one.

[numbers]

HoneySpider Can you add some diapers or toiletries (baby shampoo, lotion, etc.) to your registry?

IME people prefer to send/show up with a physical gift over a gift card.

[elliemonster21]

Agreed on the diapers! I forsee a ton of extra random blankets or baby soaps or clothes in your future if they go off registry

[cmarie11]

May 5, 2016 8:33:44 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

My shower invitations just went out last week and already both of my registries have been hit a lot harder than I imagined. DH's aunt took out half of what was left on our Amazon yesterday in one fell swoop, she basically bought every item under $25 that was left.

I might add a few more things but I don't want to add items just for the sake of adding. If there isn't much left, do you think people will be more inclined to give gift cards or go off registry? I would love to receive gc because we'll probably be left with the largest items to have to buy, but I know a lot of people hate giving them as gifts.

I didn't expect this to be a potential issue - my showers will be small and we added (we thought) plenty of things. Seems everyone is just going for multiple smaller items instead of one bigger one.

Our registries got pretty cleared out between both of my showers, so I ended up getting a lot of gift cards, which was cool. I'd probably add some things that would be nice to have extras of, A+A blankets, extra swaddle sacks, pacifiers. You can always return them for credit to buy bigger items if needed.

That's one huge benefit of being team green...people actually buy off the registry and not a billion cute outfits!

[HoneySpider]

I did put diapers on both registries but no one has bought those! I guess because they're not fun/cute. But I would love diapers.

Thanks for the ideas, I'm going to double-check and see what I might have missed or want to add more of.

[Raggedeannie]

My favorite maternity dresses have come from MoMo Maternity. I got them super cheap on MyHabit (one day sale site) but even full price they're not break the bank expensive

[spa]

HoneySpider , can you change the priority on your registry for amazon to high and put in a comment "We would love you forever" or something like that. I usually look for that stuff when I am buying off an amazon registry

ETA: For the diapers