Honey, can we register for her at REI?...

Yes, he asked me that.... Haha...

But I totally understand. After all, we're very outdoorsy people and we're planning to stay that way after she is here, and we're hoping to make her into a little outdoorsy baby.

I made a trip to a few local baby stores and experienced MAJOR, though fully expected, sticker shock. I have two things to say:
1. How do people here do this at these price levels????
and
2. I will NOT be shopping here, thank you vey much.

Instead, I am doing some careful pre-planning for all the shopping I will have to do when we come home for Christmas. I have put together a registry of the things I will need to get at Buy Buy Baby. They are part of the Bed Bath & Beyond group and they accept those awesome 20% off coupons. Score!!! And after all we found all the outdoors related items there, so no REI registry was necessary... haha... We are planning to bring extra couple of suitcases home and will be shipping over a couple of big boxes with baby stuff if necessary.

Here are a couple of things we are (especially CJ is) super excited about.

Jogging stroller:
It's a no brainer right? For people like us.... I looked around at the different brands, Bob, Baby Jogger and a few others, and this one won. Baby Jogger Summit XC. Sturdy, good suspension, folds super easily. Awesome! I love the little demo video on Baby Jogger website.

Baby Carrier:

Again, no brainer, right? We go walking/hiking all the time... Oh we can't wait to take her along for walks, hikes, trips etc. Everyone seems to have some sort of a carier these days and CJ can't wait to be able to use this with her. We chose to register for the Ergo Baby Carrier. It comes with an Infant Insert, which I also registered for, and with that, you can use it pretty much as soon as she is born. I've read that the Ergo is easier on the back than other brands, which was confirmed by a friend who actually owns both. Plus, it is supposed to feel comfy for longer (and heavier babies).

In addition to this carrier we are also planning to get a hiking backpack with a baby seat and sun shade for when she is a few months old and can hold her head up. Our friends, Kyle and Leah have one and we LOVE the idea. Unfortunately, none of the ones at Buy Buy Baby, or REI for that matter, looked like something we wanted. We will have to look around some more. If anyone has brand/model recommendations, let us know. Something like this would be great:

Video Monitor

This one cracks me up.... Everyone needs a baby monitor, right? But ever since we saw several of our friends use those video monitors CJ has been super obsessed with getting one too. This particular one, Motorola Video Monitor has a 3.5 inch color monitor! So not only can you hear the baby fuss, you can actually see WHY she is fussing AND you can play little soothing tunes for her. It has a selection of 5 lullabies which can be remotely turned on. I think CJ is planning to put surveilance on this little girl as soon as she comes out so no boys try to get near.  Such a protective Daddy...

So these are just a few highlights of what we registered for. Obviously, you can tell we are so excited to have this little munchkin be part of our lives...