Week 33: Bargain Hunter 

I'm in the sorting mode ... trying to separate my firstborn's "baby" things from her "big girl" things. The "baby" things are obviously destined for our second child, although my daughter is not exactly seeing it that way. She's having a hard time with words like "outgrown," hand-me-downs," and "lend." She will spy a stuffed animal or toy that I have pulled from one of her bins and immediately take an interest in it. This is not even renewed interest ... most of these items she's never even given a second glance to. Until now.    

What should I expect? Every childlike thing in our house has been solely my daughter's up to this point. And it's all been brand-spanking new. In the first year of her life, my husband and I (okay, mostly just me) put hours of thought and research into each thing we purchased for her. We shook cribs, test-drove strollers and studied child-safety labels. My "Baby Bargains" book was dog-eared. Our Bye Bye Baby registry was carefully constructed. I considered diaper bags the way I consider shopping for a new car.    

But that was then.    

Now? I'm am trying to cobble together a nursery for my next child by picking through my daughter's things when she's not looking. Just today I found her old mobile in my parents' garage, very dusty and showing its age. My mom wrinkled her nose. "What??" I said. "With a little cleaning up, this should be fine. Granted, it's missing a major part, but I'll think of something." She nodded vaguely.    

Kids are expensive, we've learned. I don't believe we ever went overboard with purchases for our daughter, but we took joy in building a space for her and considering what would bring a smile to her face. That interest is still in us, but we've become a more frugal shoppers since that time. I look on ebay and Craig's List daily for furniture and gear, ask friends if they or someone they know is getting rid of items we might need, and am considering new ways to get old stains out of my daughter's newborn onesies.    

This may not be quite as exciting as shopping the first time around - certainly it can more tedious - but I consider it a good thing. I've learned that kids outgrow things very quickly. That adorable toy you bought for the stroller is now unloved, not missed and buried somewhere under the backseat of your car.    

I've learned that kids are picky. What you thought was a perfect gift got about an hour of attention before it was destined for the Land of Misfit Toys.    

And I've learned that if I have to make choices, I'd rather spend money on experiences, such as a kids yoga class, or on a more expensive toy that is sure to last for years.    

So my shopping spree will take place primarily in our basement and attic and my daughter's bedroom. It's amazing what the promise of a lollipop can buy these days.