Why Craigslist Rules

Finding parents of twins via Craigslist is pretty much just awesome:

Two Fisher Price bouncers in pretty much perfect condition (with batteries) for $15 each. I just realized these are still sold at Target. I washed the covers and I seriously would not be able to tell that these aren't brand new.


































2 Boppy brand swings for $20 each. (I know, bad picture) And these are still sold at Babies 'R Us. Of course I washed these covers too and they are in amazing condition. Between these two sets, buying used saved us about $125, plus we got a ton of free batteries!

This is going to be fun!

I could have a heart-attack from the potential cute-ness!

Observations from a Never-Before Pregnant Person

• Morning sickness is a lie. It is in no way restricted to the morning. Mine arrives promptly at 4pm and lasts until late at night. There are a number of extra nausea-inducing factors that make absolutely no sense. For me, it's the sight or smell of peanut butter, taking a hot shower, having my hands in hot water, or drinking warm water. The best remedy I have found for nausea is simply to get fresh air. Even better if there's a breeze.

• The food groups get rearranged to your satisfaction. Mine are the String Cheese Group, the Cottage Cheese Group, the Toast Group, and The Milk Group. There was an Egg Group but I'm over that now. Before we even had a positive pregnancy test, I would have bet a $100 bill we were expecting, due to the fact I demanded eggs on toast for breakfast for 7 mornings straight. Weird.
  
  
• Hungry feels different now than before pregnancy. If I were to wait for that old familar feeling of hungry, I would starve to death!

• Garage sales, Craigslist and consignment stores quickly prove to be invaluable. A baby bathtub in perfect condition for $2? Sold. $50 for a gently used double stroller base that works with any two infant car seats, and it's so wildy popular you can't find one that's not back-ordered? Totally sold!

• After seeing how much baby stuff costs, being crafty and more resourceful suddenly has it's appeal. Like making two matching crib bedding sets, rather than buying them. The only style of bedding I liked would cost $300 per set! (haha like $600 on bedding is even an option) Re-learning to sew with the help of my crafty mom can produce a similar result for $500 less, plus I have extra fabric for other fun projects - curtains, pillows, cute little mobiles, boppies, etc...

The plan is to make 2 blankets using a similar pattern/layout, but with our own gender neutral fabric. We'll do similar bumpers, but not quite so full and puffy.

• A startling observation regarding diapers... I was never good at math, but I can do basic calculations. It's been said that newborns and infants can use upwards of 10 diapers a day. 10 diapers a day x 30 days = 300 diapers, x 2 babies = a whopping 600 diapers a month! For this reason Zach and I are accepting any Huggies or Pampers coupons you may want to send our direction. Coupons combined with sales and promotions have served us well so far.

{Pretend there is a photo here showing a mountain of Huggies and Pampers overtaking the Gear Room. I could have taken one but lack the energy required for such a photo. This one will have to do instead.}

Each package in this (imaginary) pile was either 66% off or 75% off, and we have around 1300 diapers total. That sounds great and all, until you realize that's just over a 2 month supply. I am just crossing my fingers there will be more diaper sales and it's not a seasonal thing of the past. Oh, and we got 31 boxes of Pampers wipes for the price of tax. :)