|
Jennifer's Place Archive
back
Buying the
Basics
First, let me offer joyful congratulations to all the
families who received referrals this week. Joe and I are so
happy for you! Especially our myadoptionwebsite families -
you waited so very long for this wonderful day, and we
celebrate with you.
For those of us still waiting, I know that so few LID's
being matched was once again very hard news to take. While
we are finally now in November, it doesn't do much to ease
the pain of this slow, slow process. Last month I did my
best to write a message of comfort and hope. This month, I'm
trying something different: Retail Therapy.
It has been mentioned by some that they are choosing to wait
for their referral before they shop for clothes. And I can
relate to that, as I really didn't purchase a whole lot
during our wait for Adrienne. We were on a budget, and I
worried about buying items that wouldn't fit, or would be
out of season when they did fit. With that in mind, I want
to share some thoughts about basic clothing items you might
consider if you are longing to shop, to feel that you are
preparing for this child and celebrating that you are indeed
going to be a mother! To see a few items hanging in her
closet, while at the same time being true to your practical
side.
In no particular order, here are a few basics I think you
can count on using and enjoying on your little girl:
 1.
A white cardigan sweater. Adrienne actually has three
right now, all courtesy of her generous grandmothers! These
are the most versatile and often-worn items in her closet.
Cute with almost any outfit, and especially perfect over
dresses, a white cardigan is a super item to buy for your
little girl.
2. Nice white onesies. I am always on the lookout for
a cute, quality white onsie. Because, again, the are
extremely versatile and in our home, get worn all the time.
Under sweaters, jumpers, and overalls.
3. Nice white onesies with round collars! I just love how
these look by themselves with a cute skirt or pants, or
under a sweater. It dresses up an outfit in a darling way!
4. Hats. Especially a basic white hat with a wide
brim. It will match anything, and truly, is there anything
cuter than a baby girl (or toddler!) in a hat?!
5. Crib shoes. These are fun, soft leather shoes that
are great year-round. You will find many brands, though
Robeez seem to be the most popular. Gymboree often carries
crib shoes to coordinate with outfits. And I've noticed that
Target is carrying a brand in darling styles and at a very
affordable prices.
6. Pajamas. Almost every children's clothing stores
carry them, and you can always find them on sale. There are
endless choices and they are such a sweet little item to buy
for your future child. Affordable, practical and cute!
My thoughts on size: If you have requested a child who is 6
- 12 months, or as young as possible, chances are that 6 -
12 month clothes will fit. However, since the purpose of
this post is to be safe, buy bigger. Because she will grow
into things before you know it! So if you find that perfect
little sweater in a size 24 months, go for it! I am a
bargain hunter and buy ahead quite a bit. It is very helpful
to have a bin of clothes set aside for when Adrienne is
older.
You notice that I recommend onesies. I just love how they
stay in place, since they can't come un-tucked! This was nice when Adrienne wore diapers.
She is now outgrowing that style of shirt, though Gymboree
often offers some in 3T and sometimes 4T.
My last comment is about dresses. As you may have noticed, I
love dresses and so does Adrienne. Simple, comfortable ones.
Many of her favorites have been, or will be, worn for a few
years. With the help of cardigans and cute cotton
pants or leggings, some are worn year-round. She has a
darling, summery "twirly" dress that she wore the first year as a dress, and this
year as a long swing top over
pink cotton pants. If she wore it in the winter, I just
added a sweater. So if you want to invest in some dresses, watch for
A-line styles, and consider purchasing a matching pair of
pants or leggings in a larger size, so as to get even more
mileage out of your purchase. In fact, just yesterday
I bought white cotton pants for Adrienne at Old Navy for
less than $4 so that she can wear some of last summer's
dresses again. (I'm thinking of buying a few more pairs and
sewing ribbon on the bottom of the legs to match certain
dresses for a more cute, coordinated look . . . if it works,
I'll share that in a future post!)
I hope these tips help you a bit, and give you one more way
to pass this long wait and feel a little closer to your
future girl! |
|
