Yesterday we made our first big purchases for our new little man - Sprout is now the proud owner of a car seat and snap-n-go stroller. Considering that March is practically around the corner, we figured it was time to bite the bullet and start with the "big ticket" items. Although we have only yet to purchase art work, a car seat, and stroller (you know, the serious stuff) I must confess that to me, buying baby gear is similar to buying a car. There are numerous reviews, recalls, and ratings for each item but no matter how long you do your homework, when it comes to making that final decision you cannot help but feel anxious that you bought a lemon. And no one wants their baby sitting, walking, sleeping, or eating in a lemon. We can only hope that we did not purchase "lemons" yesterday but I suppose that time will tell. I imagine that our nerves about getting the safest, strongest, and most durable products are shared by all first-timers. And as such, it must be highly amusing to be a Babies R Us employee. Picture seeing couple after couple walk into your giant store, awestruck by its sheer size. Then imagine those same couples wandering over to the car seats where they test the weight of each one, admire the colors, the little straps, etc. Their smiles slowly turn to grimaces and groans as they get flustered trying to separate the base from the seat. Bases are repeatedly turned over and knees, elbows, and fingers are used in desperation to get the car seat out of its holder. Amusing, indeed.
Our experience was quite similar yesterday and it was humbling to perplexedly look each other and silently admit our inadequacies about baby products. If selecting a car seat is anything like parenthood, we certainly have a bumpy, yet comical ride ahead.
