lil gear

Nine months is a long time to wait for a baby. From the moment the stick shows a pregnancy sign, mamas-to-be enter the magical world of babydom where they are surrounded by a bevy of onesies, rattles and nursery furniture that are just begging to be bought. Like kids in a candy store, pregnant women often can't keep their hands off of all of the goodies they see for the new addition to their family.

Deciding where to start is a fun dilemma to have. Some expectant moms run out to buy that first pair of baby booties as soon as the doctor confirms the pregnancy. Others wait to dive right into the gear and come home with the stroller they've been eyeing for some time.

Tell us, what was the first item you bought for your baby-to-be?

When a mama-to-be strolls the aisles of a baby emporium for the first time, everything looks enticing. Armed with friends' recommendations and the latest issue of Consumer Reports, a pregnant woman thinks she knows exactly what she needs. But, once the lil one arrives and the new mom gets in her groove she is likely to find that some of the items she swore she would need are not perfectly suited for her tot.

When expecting my first child, a car seat manufacturer had just introduced their latest and greatest infant seat. It claimed to hold babies up to 30 pounds and sure that I was going to give birth to a giant I quickly registered for it. What I didn't realize was that a car seat that holds such a big baby is bound to weigh a ton itself, and once you add a baby, it is virtually impossible to carry more than a few feet.

What is the baby item that you regret buying?

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're everywhere! Crocs have taken tot toes by storm and are still growing and gaining popularity and not just in America. The Japanese are infatuated with the porous rubber shoes as are other cultures. The initial design suited gardeners and the like just fine but the business got sassy and added Mary Jane and ballet flat styles to the mix. Easy to slip on and keep clean, they can also be hazardous in certain situations. They are slippery when wet and they have been known to cause some trauma on an escalator or two. So tell us, are you a Crocs lovin' mom?