it takes a village (and perhaps broadband)

In terms of stuff, I think we are set.

The bassinet arrived last week, as did the little bouncy chair, the stroller, and the car seat. We have the equivalent of a high chair (fits onto table) and a travel crib for when the bassinet will no longer do. We have four different carriers (and one still on the way), for various ages up to 12 months. She has enough clothes and blankets and towels and a bath. She has a small assortment of toys and books that she won't even look at for at least two months, and we already have two diaper bags. The diapers with pins and covers and butt cream arrive on Thursday. Yesterday I remembered that she needs her own soap/shampoo and laundry detergent (at least that's what I understand from my mom) and so I ordered that as well. My junior high school friend gave me his wife's breast pump (who would have thought). Short version: literally everything that we registered for has been ordered and is already here or on the way. We can't think of anything else we need.

We did a quick back of the napkin calculation and estimate, even with the non-essential, convenience items we bought (such as super fancy stroller), the total cash cost must be around $3K. If you count all the extra clothes and gear that has been bought or donated (outside what we asked for), then maybe it's closer to $4 or 5K. We have only paid about $1K of that ourselves (!) over these entire 9 months. I'm still a tiny bit anxious about the doctor bills, whatever those may be, but it seems to be turning out to be rather inexpensive to bring a baby home, especially if you have a strong community of friends and family around you who are anxious to help out. And we do...

Note to the grandparents: if you want to get us anything else, newborn basics would be all that we might need. We're talking about solid colored t-shirts, sleepers, onesies, and cold-weather sweater sets that she can wear under her bundles of blankets and cozies. Since the registries are all finished up, the "baby stuff we like" on the right will be changed to baby clothes places we like. These should last us for another couple of years, or until we learn first-hand what else we might need (like which bottles work best, etc.)

As for the house, we're maybe one week away from finishing; really being ready with all the stuff put into where it's going to go, house cleaned and organized, and a truly comfortable space that we both imagine living in with three people, even if one of them is very tiny and very noisy (at times - no, not me). We decided against the christmas tree (brutal decision, since we're both kind of into having a tree), but it just makes everything so much easier to imagine. Could not imagine stringing lights (my forte) OR sweeping up leaves (Aaron's). My mom and stepdad got us a wreath instead, and we'll put the stockings up just the same.

THANK YOU for being a part of our extended family and for helping us get ready and feel ready in bringing her home. Although so many of our loved ones are far away, we love that you've been able to stay connected to us, supporting and encouraging us, every step of the way. Thanks for reading along. Thanks for being there.