The Adventures of Registering

Our first baby shower is June 26th. When my parents came to visit a few weeks ago, I had decided that taking my mom on the baby registering experience would be a great idea. She's had kids and knows whats needed to survive. Though she didn't have twins, she still had me and my sister and that pretty much sums up the adventures she had/has.

We tackled Babies R Us first. Go big or go home right? For those of you that may have never experienced Babies R Us, I'm jealous. It can be an overwhelming experience for first time moms. Especially when they have so many options for basic things and then they throw in big words like 'scientific research' to support their product. Instead of going through every detail, I'll give you the ESPN Sportscenter-like highlights.

A) Baby Monitors: they don't sell these in discount packs for twins. sad day. However, they do sell REALLY fancy ones that come with bigger flat screen monitors then I currently have in my living room. Also, when the box doesn't provide you enough information to see if you can have 2 of the same thing and avoid technical complications...give Dad the assignment to call the company hotline on the back of the box. Immediately. Success.

B) Warning: Do not allow the daddy-to-be to have the scanner in the toy aisle. You have no idea what will show up on the registry later.

C) Bottles: How did babies survive when there was only ONE kind? I have no idea. This is the area, where I defaulted all decisions to mom. You would NOT believe the options that are out there. I can only hope we/Mom made the right decision on the brand here.....

D) Missing Assistants: Mom and I were diligently trying to wrap things up and had managed to make it to the back of the store. As we scanned the last items, we both wondered....where are Dad and Daddy-to-be? As we wandered to find them, I catch Daddy-to-be out of the corner of my eye....in the glider rocker section. I'm pretty sure his head was back, and eyes were closed. WAS HE ASLEEP!?!? I'm the incubator, I get the pass for sleeping in public.

Both David and Dad successfully found the most amazing glider rocker ever made. It has now found its home in our house, thanks to my parents.

E) Maternity Store: Because David and I live in a relatively rural area, shopping trips to Babies R' Us and maternity stores are rare. Maternity stores are fancy these days. This one had a free massage for me, fresh juice and ice water, and a nice lounge area with leather recliners and a flat screen tv for "patient" daddies. As I waited for my massage, my awesome personal shopper (aka mom) starting stocking up the dressing room with reasonably priced and fashionable items. When I returned from my massage, mom was still diligently working. Dad & David....GONE. Where did they escape to? They went to the bar & grill across from the store and enjoyed a drink. So now they get naps and drinks!?!? So unfair.

F) Homebound: I'm pretty sure I was asleep before we left the parking lot and woke up when we arrived in the driveway at home.

Next on the list, Wal-Mart. David and I would tackle this one on our own. We had Babies R' Us under our belt. We were prepared for anything. For anyone who knows me, you are probably shocked and appauled that Target is not listed instead of Walmart. Sadly, we don't live near a Target and since my shower is local we decided to make it easy on the guests to buy something in town. Again, that rural area thing calls for creativity.

A) We arrive at the Waycross Wal-mart. This isn't just your average Wal-mart. This Wal-Mart fulfills all Wal-Mart stereotypes after only 5 minutes. It serves about 5 counties in South Georgia. One of the most profitable Walmarts in the state, if not the most profitable. This doesn't mean they have good customer service or the items you need when you need them. We went to the fancy registry machine, filled out the form, and then took our registry number to the jewelry counter to get the scanner. We were then told that the Waycross Walmart doesn't have scanners to register with. However, we could write down all barcodes and then enter them online ourselves. Gee. Fun. Ain't happenin'.

B) Drive to Douglas, GA.

C) Register at a nice, calm, clean, friendly Wal-Mart in Douglas, GA - WITH a scanner.

Registering is done. Hopefully all the mommies I hope to live up to, approve.