we’re working on setting up a nursery. i think i mentioned before that this was an “assignment” given to us by our placement agency because it a) gets us ready for a baby who might arrive with very little advance warning and b) because (some) birthmothers like to see photos of a decorated nursery. so… just like any expectant parents, we are clearing out a room and filling it with baby things. as we’ve worked on the project this weekend, i sat in the room and marveled at how this process sort of mirrors the larger process of adding a baby to our family and the schedule and lifestyle adjustments that will entail. we’re moving furniture and other things into other rooms, and those rooms now feel a little more full, and we’re getting rid of some things and adding new things.
one of the big pieces of furniture that we need to get is a crib. i did a little online browsing tonight to see what’s out there and… like most things in life… there’s a wiiiiide range of options. should we go with a craigslist bargain? (assuming it meets all safety standards, of course) or should we go to a big box store (IKEA, Target, Babies R Us)? or should we purchase one of the handmade, responsibly-sourced-wood beauties from this etsy shop? what’s the most responsible thing to do? choose something cheap because the baby may not even ever sleep in a crib (prefering a co-sleeper or the Amby Baby Hammock that my sister swears by instead)? choose something beautiful and durable that supports an individual craftsman who uses responsible building practices?
i sort of love having a non-adoption-specific dilemma.
6 comments ↓
How about the cradle that your grandmother was rocked in and many years later you were rocked in? We would have to do some exploring as to which of your cousins has it and how to transport it if you’re interested. It’s relatively small so might not be worth the trouble in the long run. Let me know.
just found you…also waiting for adoption…thought I would say HI…HI….lol
great blog….
m 🙂
Hey, I love my AMBY, but it’s only good until they can pull themselves to a standing position which is before you know it. After that you need a crib. In my opinion, our crib is the best of both worlds. We bought a used crib from the MCC thrift store that was original manufactured by a small company. WooHoo!
Those cribs on Etsy look like miniature prisons. Or a giant version of those cardboard box pet carriers with the air holes cut out.
I wish I enjoyed yard sales. So many of these kinds of things really don’t have to look pretty or be really well made — they’re just going to destroy/outgrow/not-care-about them anyway. We end up spending more money on the temporary things that we’ll never keep for nostalgia than I feel like we should. But I’m past my romantic, idealistic stage now and settled firmly back into my stale, practical self.
i kind of think ALL cribs look like miniature prisons. especially after you’ve looked at 40+ different designs. except for maybe this “zebra” crib from a company in Spain. Definitely interesting….
A good friend who just had her second baby in 2 years just bought her second IKEA crib. That says a little something for them, considering how far you have to go from here to get to an IKEA.
My kids all survived fine in a second-hand traditional crib.
I don’t think it’s probably your style, but I am the current holder of the bassinet Jay (and his mother!!!) slept in. It’s only of use until the baby is about 3 months old. If you’re interested, it’s yours.
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