I didn't think that I would be interested in used baby items for our first baby but over the past month I've been keeping an eye out on Ramstein Bookoo (a local craigslist for military members) for some items during peak PCS season & found some great stuff. At first I had little hope because most of the items being sold were nasty - stained or looked old. But recently I've been making out really well with LIKE NEW items that can be washed and disinfected. All of the items I've bought so far have been so lightly used they still look new.
I would like to think I'm helping the environment by reusing. ;)
There are definitely items that I will not take used but I think I'm being pretty reasonable.
Here are some of the fun things I've bought!
I would like to think I'm helping the environment by reusing. ;)
There are definitely items that I will not take used but I think I'm being pretty reasonable.
Here are some of the fun things I've bought!
Evan Signet high chair New: $250+ Used: $60 (Almost like new) Ratings were okay for this high chair but I liked it and I like how simple it looks (not an eye sore when you walk into the room). It's also easy to clean! I never understood the high chairs that were overly cushioned and enormous! OH - and why was the previous owner selling? Mom went out and bought another $300 high chair made by Stokke. Crazy!!
4MOM MamaRoo Plush New: $250 Used: $160 (Again... like new. There was still a plastic tag on it!! Previous owner's baby didn't like it.) I was planning to get a swing for our baby that was about $140-$180 but thought I'd grab this one since it was being sold. I liked that there were really great reviews from medical professionals about this but I know I'm risking it since I'm not sure if baby Kim will like it or not. Then again, we don't know if our baby will like a traditional swing either! Hope she does well in here bc I'm sure I'm going to need a break when I'm home alone with her.
Gift for Mommy to Be from Grandma
Got this awesome pillow in the mail today with some other goodies. Sent to me from my Mom (soon to be Grandma)! Can't wait to use this thing - especially when I'm bigger. I always have to hug something when I'm sleeping. I'm sure Andy will love this too - I can quit making him sweat at night from smothering him. Hehe. Thanks Mom!!
Another DIY project coming up!!
Many of you were impressed by Andy's handiwork in my previous post. Well, be prepared to be amazed once again. I'm signing him up for some more work. Hah!
One thing that really sucks over here in Germany is the furniture selection. You either get IKEA furniture or overpay for a classic piece of furniture you could buy for half the price back in the states. There is no in-between. After searching and searching for a dresser for Baby Kim's room that she could grow with, I finally decided to give in to IKEA. BUT... we're going to transform it into something nice.
I found this awesome DIY IKEA hack tutorial - http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2009/09/side-table-project.html
It will require staining, painting, and replacing the hideous IKEA knobs.
This will match our white crib perfectly! Throw a changing table pad on top and DONE! :)
I actually really love the look and if it comes out well it's something I can see us keeping for awhile unless it gets destroyed during our next move.
Here's a before picture for now...
Hopefully it won't be too long before I can show off the after pic! :)
One thing that really sucks over here in Germany is the furniture selection. You either get IKEA furniture or overpay for a classic piece of furniture you could buy for half the price back in the states. There is no in-between. After searching and searching for a dresser for Baby Kim's room that she could grow with, I finally decided to give in to IKEA. BUT... we're going to transform it into something nice.
I found this awesome DIY IKEA hack tutorial - http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2009/09/side-table-project.html
It will require staining, painting, and replacing the hideous IKEA knobs.
This will match our white crib perfectly! Throw a changing table pad on top and DONE! :)
I actually really love the look and if it comes out well it's something I can see us keeping for awhile unless it gets destroyed during our next move.
Here's a before picture for now...
Hopefully it won't be too long before I can show off the after pic! :)
As for a crib?
My OCD for planning ahead paid off once again.
Crib options in Germany are TERRIBLE and you can't have them shipped because they exceed the size limit for APO deliveries.
Last month, I discovered that the Military Exchange online offers a pretty good selection of cribs to order from. The only downside to it is, it takes anywhere from 3 to 6 MONTHS to receive it!! Thankfully, Baby isn't due until October and I can afford to wait. :)
Crib & mattress - CHECK!
My OCD for planning ahead paid off once again.
Crib options in Germany are TERRIBLE and you can't have them shipped because they exceed the size limit for APO deliveries.
Last month, I discovered that the Military Exchange online offers a pretty good selection of cribs to order from. The only downside to it is, it takes anywhere from 3 to 6 MONTHS to receive it!! Thankfully, Baby isn't due until October and I can afford to wait. :)
Crib & mattress - CHECK!
Mama Update
It's been getting more challenging to get myself to the gym lately and when I go, I usually just get on the elliptical or bike. I really dislike being on machines for very long. Mainly because it bores me.
One thing I've really missed since I've been in Germany is going to my Beyond Barre classes in Potomac, MD. It really kept me in amazing shape! I decided to try to get myself back into it during pregnancy to keep me active by mixing prenatal & traditional Barre workouts. I'm a bit rusty with the movements so I ordered 2 DVDs to help me get started.
One thing I've really missed since I've been in Germany is going to my Beyond Barre classes in Potomac, MD. It really kept me in amazing shape! I decided to try to get myself back into it during pregnancy to keep me active by mixing prenatal & traditional Barre workouts. I'm a bit rusty with the movements so I ordered 2 DVDs to help me get started.
I tried out the 'Dancer's Body' work out on Tuesday and I almost died halfway through it. It's very similar to what I did at Beyond Barre. Very challenging and I probably won't be able to continue this particular DVD for very long. Did leave me super sore in my thighs and arms for the past 2 days so I know it's effective.
Tried the prenatal barre workout today and I like how there's an easier & more challenging version. Not too challenging though. I can see myself doing this more often as I get bigger. One of the girls in the video is 28 weeks pregnant (I think)? She looks great.
Tried the prenatal barre workout today and I like how there's an easier & more challenging version. Not too challenging though. I can see myself doing this more often as I get bigger. One of the girls in the video is 28 weeks pregnant (I think)? She looks great.
Baby Update!!
Since last week, I've been able to feel Baby Kim move around. She's usually quite active during lunch time. So today, I decided to pay closer attention to her after lunch and waited to feel her flutter. Once I felt the first flutter, I placed my hand around my lower abdomen. I FELT HER MOVE WITH MY HAND!!! She went nuts for a minute and then went quiet. I was NOT expecting to feel her move from the outside this early (18 weeks 4 days) so it was a nice surprise. Just wish Andy was around during lunch time so I could get him to feel it too. Maybe I'll go by his office to eat lunch with him during the week. (Because forget the weekends... he has golf or tennis to play! hah!)
I'll post another bump photo soon since I've had a few requests already.
I'll post another bump photo soon since I've had a few requests already.
That's all! Happy Thursday!! :)
XOXO
XOXO