If you could pick any frivolous baby gift for yourself, what would it be?

[Mere]

This will be baby #3 and I've saved everything, so there's nothing that this baby *really* needs. Nonetheless, my friends would like to have a little party/shower/blessingway for me, and they want to pool their money and get me something fun and frivolous that I wouldn't buy for myself. Despite my repeated suggestions that they don't need to do this, they really want to so I need to come up with some ideas. I'm not normally a big shopper or purchaser of lots of excess stuff, so I need help!

My ideas so far:
- a new sling (I do have several different types of carriers that I've accumulated over the years so I don't really need another...but I guess that's the point! New slings are always fun.)

- a new, fun diaper bag (the one I'm using now is still technially functional, but let's just say it has been well-used in its 5.5 year lifespan.)

What else have you been lusting after???

[willoLevin]

If I could have ANYTHING I wanted, I would ask for a series of personal training sessions for this summer!

Seriously, I'm so NOT a gym rat, but I always feel great once I get motivated to go exercise. I would love to have an expert help me make the most of my time/energy to get back into shape--probably into the best shape of my life since I've never been athletic.

After DS was born, I had such a feeling of sudden lightness that I was really motivated. I didn't do anything then, though, and I only got back to my pre-pregnancy weight last spring (2.5 years later.)

But these sessions are pricey. I probably can't justify the cost. Mega-bummer. I'll just join some gym again around my 6 week pp checkup. Big sigh.

--willo

[wombatclay]

For me, I'd ask for a day spa "vacation" before the new babe arrives. You know...an hour long massage, a pedicure/manicure, a facial, an herbal skin treatment, an entire day (or at least half day) away from kiddos and mess and diapers and breastfeeding and all the things that are wonderful but sometimes a bit....much....in the third trimester.

It's not something I could ever afford, and my town doesn't really have much in the way of "day spa" services, but it's a nice dream and probably not that expensive if your friends are pooling their funds.

Maybe some gift cards to various nice restaurants that have a delivery or take out option for right after the birth? Or a home visit from a massage therapist for a week or so after the babe arrives?

[brittneyscott]

if i could get anything for myself to splurge, I would go to the store and buy some nursing tops. I have to get some anyways to breastfeed, but to be honest I don't want to spend the store prices to get them. I'm thinking about making my own and I'm still looking for some second hand or on ebay. So if I could get a splurge present it would be to just go out and buy some cute nursing tops.

[Ks Mama]

At least one more baby sling/carrier...but if the ones I have don't work, I'll get one for myself anyhow via next day air fedex, you'd better believe. Actually, if this baby is colicky & an up/down motion needing baby like my first, I'm buying an Amby bed.

I think the idea of gift cards for restaurants is fabulous. A personal chef is even better!

Some nice clothes (or gift cards for clothes) that will fit in the 3 - 4 post partum months when I'm between sizes, and can't bear to wear my maternity clothes anymore, can't fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, and can't justify spending money on clothes that will be too big in another few months!

How about a hot tub? Think anyone would pool $$$ for that?

[Shell_Ell]

I'd seriously get a massage twice a week in the last month of pregnancy.

But if it has to be a "thing"... I'd sort of like an Amby hammock, too...

[Jilian]

I'd get the humanity co-sleeper. It is organic (wool I think?) and has a giant roll to keep baby from rolling off the bed. It is also absorbant to catch breastmilk and diaper leaks.

Or I'd get a really cool diaper bag like a Petunia Picklebottom. It's certainly not rough enough to handle everyday use, but they are absolutely beautiful and roomy. Or the Kecci is cheaper and more durable.

A pretty sling would be nice too, in one of those nice silky fabrics. I think zolo is who makes those silk slings that are a small fortune.

If you use cloth diapers you could splurge on a nice wool cover or a pair of longies.

Moses baskets are beautiful too...

Can you tell I've been giving this some thought?

[mama_daba]

i would probably get a happy hangup baby hammock,

[saratchka]

I actually did get my ridiculous item as a Christmas gift from DH - a new Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bag that I'd been lusting for.

Some pretty nursing tops (if you like nursingwear) are a great idea, as is a new sling/carrier that you love, but can't justify.

Or you could ask them to hire a henna artist and photographer to decorate and immortalize your pregnant belly.

[Mere]

What great suggestions! I wasn't even thinking along the lines of getting myself something indulgant, like a massage...I like it though!

I love that diaper bag too Sarachtka...very cool; $120 diaper bag is just the thing I would never buy for myself but would love to have! They have great fabrics too..hmm...

[mataji4]

(**MOONFROGGY- In case you don't know, there are usually a couple of new Happy Hangups that the company puts on ebay at a bit of a lower price than their website. I think with shipping they are $172. I'm getting mine in May and I am SO excited!)

A splurge? How about a cleaning lady! Not a couple hours a week, but the kind my grandmother has, that comes several times a week for a couple of hours! She could fold laundry, mop, dust, clean the bathroom...aaahhh!

But, yes, if it has to be a thing...I would say a newborn organic layette set. I wanted everything for this baby to be organic, but it hasn't really worked out that way. I have some organic clothes, but that's about it. Most of what we have I bought used or were hand me downs, so I couldn't be too picky.

[awallrising]

There's a really expensive Fleurville diaper bag that I'd like. I think it's around $150, but I just can't bring myself to spend the $$$.

How about Alice from the Brady Bunch? Round the clock home help.

A spa getaway sounds awesome too.

[boheime]

I was going to suggest cleaning help, too. We actually went through the trouble of finding a cleaning lady who was reasonably priced (they are ridiculous in this area). We had her come once (the idea was to have her come a couple of times a month to do the stuff that I always push to the bottom of my list and more often when #3 gets here). However, it was awful. She didn't use the vinegar spray or e.o. sprays I said to. She used her own supplies. I had to redo everything afterwards and ended up with a chemical burn on my arms from the stuff she put on the furniture that I was cleaning off. She didn't do things I wanted her to and did stuff I told her not to.

[torio]

Originally Posted by Shell_Ell

I'd seriously get a massage twice a week in the last month of pregnancy.

1) As much massage as possible for as long as possible.
2) A housekeeper for as long as possible.

better yet....both!

(sorry so greedy)

[OTMomma]

I'd really like to have one of the silk and cotton baby blankets that is made with a playsilk on one side- like this one
http://www.bellalunatoys.com/forbaby...ilkblanket.htm

I also want nursing tops and some nice cloth diapers that are more than I'd usually spend- like organic bamboo velour ones.

[Nora'sMommy]

definitely a cleaning lady and some massages.
i also want a gypsy mama bali breeze sling for this summer baby.....or maybe an ella roo.
and I'm a little concerned about the electro-magnetic fields near baby too but if someone bought me a video baby monitor i'd definitely use it.
i was able to get all organic baby bedding/blankets/clothing because the price was right at www.babiesrus.com, they have a ton of organic stuff and a bunch of it is in their stores.
also, i'd have gone with cute fitteds instead of prefolds.
oh, and I am getting baby a lambskin to sleep on.

[mumm]

OTMomma- you posted my wish! And for less than I've seen them elsewhere.

These are kids number 3 & 4 for me. I just want these new babes to be good sleepers. My 6 and 4 year olds still don't sleep through the night, so I can't even imagine what it will be like up nursing the twins all night too. And then still function with the two older ones during the day. : I am going to try to have them sleep in a crib together : and not have them in my bed like the older kids were.

I don't need a thing, but I did buy two lambskins and hope to get the silk/flannel combo also. Whatever it takes to have them be god sleepers!

And I am going to get a cleaning person 2 X a month for at least the summer. (DP is going to be away for most of the summer and early fall and I know I can't manage twins, the house and give the older kids what they need too.)

[NCMomworld]

If money were no object, I would have bought some swaddlebees pocket diapers (the ones with organic velour touching baby instead of fleece). I think someone else cleaning my house would be awesome, but I would *really* love a mother's helper to come play with the children and take them to the pool this summer!

[nadia105]

My top splurges would be:

An Ergo carrier -- I've been lusting after this for a couple years, but can't really justify the cost.

Some Majamas nursing pjs -- they look awesome and comfy, but again, hard to justify the $$.

Cleaning help would be wonderful!

A double jogging stroller so I can take the toddlers and teh new babe out for walks comfortably.

[Mere]

More great suggestions - thanks! An Ergo carrier is a good, practical idea...I got a Mei Tai for this baby, but I'm wondering how that will compare with the Ergo when the baby gets heavier.

I'm afraid I've already recently given in to getting some cleaning help...it was supposed to be temporary (you know, when I can bend over again!) but I'm sold - it's worth the money for that to continue indefinitely!

Those swadelbees diapers are fabulous...I've also been eyeing those new bamboo dipes, but yikes! I think I'd have a hard time even asking people to buy those for me. It would be different if the baby was going to wear them for a while, but for the small babies...I don't know! it would be fun to have something other than prefolds though, I admit...