Just got a Moses Basket!

It's a funny name, from the Bible, but that's what these baskets are called! They are for infants only and can be used as a bassinet or bed in another room (like downstairs). More on Moses Baskets here.

I saw this one for sale on Craigslist by a woman down the street from us in Logan Circle for only $20! I picked it up earlier this week and just washed all the bedding and pillows. It looks great!

Moses Baskets cost anywhere from $69 to $89 to $129. I think the one I purchased is this one, which retails for $119. Definitely not an expense that I wanted to incur since you can only use them while the baby is an infant. But for $20, sure! What a deal!

Stands cost $39, so I'll either buy one new (in espresso) or keep checking Craigslist. Maybe I can get a stand for a deal too!

Baby Bedding Galore!

A fellow pregnant friend of mine just asked folks on Facebook for suggestions on baby bedding. My goodness was that opening a can of worms! There are SO MANY choices!

Some suggestions she got:

• One of a Kind (not rated)
  
• JoJo Bedding (B)
  
• Pottery Barn Kids (C+)
  
• Kidegories (not rated)
  
• From me: Restoration Hardware (A-), Land of Nod (A-), Picci (B+) and Baby Gap (A-)
  

My trusty Baby Bargains book rates them all, not that that helps narrow down the list!

The book says that for good bedding at a low price, go for Cotton Tale (A), Amy Coe at Target (A-) and George at Wal-Mart (A-). If you can spend more, check out Picci (my personal favorite!), Sumersault (A) or California Kids (A). Or, if money is no object, go for Navas (B).

For organic bedding, BB suggests Summer Infant, Kids Line (B) or Baby Gap's organic line.

So, um, what?

The book says this:

"There's no law that says you have to buy an entire bedding set for your nursery -- we found that all baby really needs is a set of sheets and a good cotton blanket. Catalogs/web sites like Lands End and Baby Gap sell affordable (yet high-quality) basics like sheets ($19 to $32) and blankets ($15 to $30). Instead of spending $300 to $500 on bedding sets with ridiculous items like pillows and diper stackers, use creative solutions (like wall decals) to decorate the nursery and leave the crib simple."

The book also boils it down to this handy (and short) list of what to buy:

• 3-4 fitted sheets in all cotton with a high thread and elastic all around the edges
  
• Mattress pad or sheet protector (you know, to prevent a mess)
  
• Thin blanket or sleepsack
  

What not to buy:

• Diaper stackers
  
• Pillows for the crib (dangerous)
  
• Bumper for the crib (dangerous)
  
• Canopies
  
• All white sheets (baby's are messy, or so we hear)
  
• Sleep positioners
  
• Quilts or heavily padded blankets (dangerous)
  

So where does that leave me?

Remember that I am planning to get this crib and paint the walls green/white. I really liked these two bedding sets from Picci, but they cost $300 to $400 and include things like crib bumpers that I don't want. I can't seem to find them ala carte, so I have decided to forgo their cuteness. Next, I really liked the organic bedding at Baby Gap! But the colors are a little too pastel for my taste.

So here's what I am thinking about...

• 2 ecru fitted sheets from Baby Gap ($15.60 x 2)
  
• 2 Amy Butler lime moon polka dot sheets ($75 for sheets, crib skirt)
  
• 1 Amy Butler pink lotus crib skirt (see above)
  
• 1 adorable pink bird fleece blanket from Baby Gap ($23.20)
  
• 1 Amy Butler pink lotus pillow for the rocking chair ($11)
  
• A sleepsack or two ($20 each)
  

TOTAL: $160 (Not bad! Baby Bargains suggests a budget of $158)