Hello Mamas!

I have some more baby shopping questions for yall:

Which glider & ottoman set did you buy? Friends have told me to go with Dutailier but Stork and Shermag seem to also get good reviews online (and are cheaper!).

Which big ticket items did you end up buying yourself? Did anyone actually get things like the breast pump or video monitor?

Which crib mattress did you buy?

Which nursing bras did you buy?

Thanks again!!!

It was so much more fun to watch the marathon this year with friends and family. Last year it was just lone me running around to catch Stinky. This year we started with a breakfast marathon party at a friend's place in Brooklyn. His awesome apartment was right on the corner where the two different waves ran off the Verrazano Bridge and converged.





Here we are anxiously waiting on 4th Ave in Brooklyn. I rang my cow bell so much that day my finger was sore.



Finally we see Stinky run by.



To everyone's surprise, he breaks out of line and runs in for a quick picture and kisses me on the belly before dashing off.

My cousin Judith and I then drove to the city and had to bust our asses to get to the ING bleachers in time to see everyone finish.

Here's Stinky at the Mile 19 fuel station.


Here's Stinky a few feet from the finish line.


THE ELITE THREE - Danny, Judith's husband, her sister-in-law, the amazing Rosemarie and Stinky. Don't they look great for having just run a marathon?


I hope you can get a good idea of how big my bump is. I am 24 weeks now but I've been getting a lot of comments that I look bigger than 24 weeks. For all the mamas out there - how do I compare?

How did you mamas figure out what to register for? Did you use a guideline or website of some kind or just advice from friends? Thanks!

ADDENDUM: Ok xanga mamas - here are some of my questions (feel free to suggest other things!):

Stroller:

We went through a full demo at BuyBuyBaby and felt that the Uppababy had the most bang for its buck.  The Stokke was a contender but having to buy the bassinet at an additional cost (and only briefly using it) kinda killed the deal.  We also considered the Quinny but it is heavier, does not come with a bassinet and will not accommodate a second child (yes! thinking of that already).  I love that the Uppababy folds easily, has a large storage basket and comes with a fully loaded bassinet.  Any other thoughts to consider?

Car Seat:

Is it ok to buy an infant car seat now and buy another toddler one later or is it better to buy a convertible now?  We like the Graco SnugRide but mostly because of its color/print options.  Any favorites?

Swing/Bouncer:

We did not see a Swing/Bouncer combination that went forwards/backwards and side-to-side.  Maybe I'm asking for too much?  Did you buy a separate swing and bouncer?  Again, any favorites?

Breastpump:

Medela Freestyle Hands-free Double pump with the tote bag.  I was instantly sold.  Should I consider any others?

Cribs:

We would like a convertible but nothing too pricey or fancy.  Just solid looking is fine.  They all look the same.  What a headache haha.

Diaper bags:

Is this just personal preference?  Which ones are better - totes, messengers or those gigantic weekender types?

THANKS A MILLION!!!