Some questions....about different things....

Ok, my mom just brought home my stroller and car seat. Which, I love. She didn't buy the big, bulky stroller that came with a one-stage car seat. She bought a smaller stroller (Still with all the holders and what-nots) and a 2-stage car seat. The lady in the baby section told her that the hospital will refuse to let us take Alexis home if we don't have that buggy-ish stage-1 car seat....can they DO that? The car seat my mom bought can hold a baby from 5-45 or 50 pounds and from 19-some odd inches long. Is that not good enough? Have any of you ladies had a two-stager and brought your baby home in it? That's kinda sucky if they can keep me from bringing her home just because of the style car seat. We bought one of those preemie head supports (mom said it'll keep her more snug) and some shoulder strap covers for it....will that make a difference? It's a nice car seat....and I love it, but I want to bring my baby home.
And, for a family picture....should Preston and I wait until Alexis can hold her head up, or go ahead and get some in her early stages. He was talking about getting some pro pics today and he wasn't sure if we should get them now or not. Of course, we plan to take TONS of pictures of her now....but he wants a family one. Any suggestions of this? Should we wait and save up our money to get them when she can hold her head up or do it ASAP?
Also, should I get offended if his ex-girlfriend buys us a baby gift for the baby shower? He told me today that she bought us something, she called his mom and told her about it....his mom was pretty upset about the whole thing....and I don't know how to take it. I mean, I'm not....mad, I just am unsure on how to take that? I don't want to bring something up to him and he think I'm accusing him of something, because I'm definitely not, but I'm wary of this girl....she tried real hard when they broke up to get back together with him....and he didn't go for it....but, I feel like she's trying to sneak her way back in, or that she's going to expect something for the gift. I know that he wouldn't go for anything as far as she and he go, but I feel weird about her buying us a baby gift. Pres was pretty weirded out about it....but, I don't want to be the type of girlfriend to hate his exes just because they're exes....I don't even know the girl, but I've heard some pretty bad stuff from everyone that knows her. She has her own baby (by one of the guys she cheated on Preston with) so, maybe she's just helping a fellow mother out? Have any of you had that happen? Should I take offense, or just accept the gift? This is pretty confusing.

 

As long as the car seat was designed for an infant the size of your baby and can be installed facing backwards, I dont think she can do jack to keep you from going home with your baby. To be safe, go to your local firestation, they will be able to help you to install it properly. Then you can show you have informed yourself, are taking all precautions and are following the law. She can't argue with that!

 

Oh wait, the lady at the store said this? NOT someone at the hospital? Psshh. She probably is supposed to push that kind of stroller. Don't let stupid people get you all worked up.

 

Yea, it was the lady at the store that told my mom that. I think because she was trying to get her to spend more on the only buggy type model they had that wasn't a combo set. (The one my mom got was $40 and the other one was $70.)

 

they can't do that. as long as the car seat is designed for a small baby its all good.

 

The 2-stage carseat is good. And the hospital cannot keep you from bringing your baby home if the seat you have is not an infant. Explain that the seat is installed, with the help of a fire department, and if they need proof, they can come down to your car and see for theirselves. However, Moire HATED it. I had to take it back and get a regular bucket seat because she was sitting too straight, not reclined enough. So you might want to keep the receipt in case Alexis doesn't feel comfortable. Buying a 2 stage is great for saving money, but if baby's not comfortable, it's not, you know?

As far as pictures, we're waiting until Moire's older. Righy now, she's changing her appearance every single day. By the time she's a year old, she's going to look so much different, and the picture my mom took of her as a newborn with Brian and I surrounding her was more than enough of a family picture to last us until she's a year.

And I don't have advice about the ex-thing....I've never been in that situation.

 

I wouldn't worry about the ex - I would just take the free gift! LOL

I wouldn't hold off on the photos (we didn't really think about it at the time, and now I regret it), but it depends on what your budget will allow, because I'm sure you'd probably want some when she's a bit older too. Honestly, like HippyFreak says, they change SO bloody fast - which is why I wouldn't want to miss out on such a special stage that will disappear VERY quickly. There must be lots of different ways they could shoot a newborn without her needing head control. Just my 2c anyway

 

You can take babies home in the combo ones if it says that they were made for infants, as well. But definately do what jayzzmama said and go to the firehall!
As for the photos; they just get cuter and cuter....but at the same time, if you keep waiting, they're eventaully going to turn into toddlers. I think that the best age is probably around 6-9 months, since they're a little more self supporting and can smile and be a little more "comic."
As for the ex situation...how long ago did they split up? If it was a while and things seem pretty calm between them now, I'd think that it would be ok to accept the gift. But if it was pretty recent and she was still on his case now about wanting him back, then I'd turn it down.

 

the ex is a freakin weirdo and should be ingored, help her get on with her life and you an pres just ignore her. i wouldn't acknowledge her gift with a thank you card and i'll prolly return her gift for something i like better or just give it away as i wouldn't want to think of her every time i saw the thing.

the car seat, you'll be able to leave the hospital, don't worry

the pics: my oldest is over 4 yrs old and we've only got professional pics once for a holiday card, we'll never do it again. instead, save your money and invest in a good digi camera

 

actually, the digi camera is a good idea....we paid $998.00 for leane's pics!

 

:O That's a lot of money.

Preston and this girl have been split up for over a year. It was just kinda freaky when he said "You'll never guess who bought us a baby gift." I'll probably take it....free stuff never hurt, I guess. It was just....weird.
I think my mom wants a digital camera, and she for sure wants herself a camcorder....I'll probably buy one of each as well so I don't miss the extra important moments....Alexis' first steps and first words....if I can.
Mom told me today that she just thought the lady was trying to squeeze some extra money out of her by telling her that we couldn't use that car seat. We do have to get another stroller, though, mom didn't notice where the box said 6+ months. I doubt I'll use the stroller a whole lot, but it'll be there in case I need it.
Thanks, ladies, for your responses.

 

Hon, if you're using a sling, lemme tell you, wearing your baby and using a backpack for supplies as opposed to a diaper bag is MUCH less hectic and cumbersome than an expensive and bulky stroller! Ours is NEVER used, We used it once but preferred wearing her to keeping her in that big thing!

 

I think I'm going to wear her sometimes and push her in a stroller for other times. I'm a pretty small person and I'm already having back trouble now (that's not an excuse, but....) so, for times when my back is really hurting, I'll use the stroller.

 

Yeah, The lady at the store fed you a line of B.S. As long as the baby is properly restrained, you can take em home. As for the gift from the ex. It sounds odd, but maybe she justs wants to be nice. If she were trying to worm her way back into his heart she would have bought a gift for him!

 

Your carseat should defnintely be fine. but I do agree with Holly about the baby may not be confortable and you may need the other one. I know my youngest HATED if I put him in any other car seat other than the carrier one. As for the girlfriend, IMO I would be gracious and accept the gift and send her a lovely thank you note afterward. She may just be trying to be nice, I definitely wouldn't want to look like an A** by not being polite and sending a thank you, it only makes you look even more wonderful if her intentions weren't good. Being that she has a baby of her own now, she is probably trying to be nice.