Shower shopping frustration

My younger brother and sister-in-law are expecting a baby girl next month (they have a 5-year-old boy). I’m excited about this for many reasons: one, this will be the first baby in our family in 4 years; two, they’ve wanted one for awhile and three, my brother will now get to see what a challenge, i mean joy it is to have a little girl! He’s going to be soooo wrapped around her finger!

Since this is their second child they have most of the big stuff — crib, changing table, car seat, stroller, etc. My SIL’s mother is a great seamstress and is making her curtains and crib bedding (lavender toile — soooo cute!).

Today I went shopping at lunch for the baby shower this weekend. I dutifully looked up the registry online; I won’t name names and you’ll see why. It should be noted that in our area there are not a lot of non-big box baby stores.

My first frustration came with the online registry itself. The items on the registry that are available in-store only not only don’t have a picture with them but they have cryptic descriptions, like pink dot/pink. Hmmm, ok, perhaps I can figure it out once I get in the store. Not.

My second frustration came when I went into the store and searched high and low for the changing pad that was on her registry. I finally stopped an employee, showed him the registry and he promptly said, “Oh, yeah, that brand isn’t in the stores; it’s only available online.” Great.

Next I tried to decipher the cryptic picture-less descriptions. It was impossible. Then I tried to find some of the other items on the registry matching the brand names and trying to match the item numbers. Many of the numbers didn’t match. I did end up making a purchase (because it’s the only place she’s registered) from the registry, though they weren’t the items I wanted to buy.

Lessons from this venture?

1.     If you have a baby registry (especially if it’s online) make sure you have an image and good description with each item.

2.     Make sure the item numbers on the registry coordinate with the item numbers on your shelves.

3.     Make sure the item numbers on your shelves are clearly visible and, perhaps say something like, item number, if you have other numbers also on the same label.

4.     If you have items that are only available online, make sure that’s somewhere in bold print. It wouldn’t hurt to give an estimated ship time too.

Does anyone know where I can buy an “I’m the big brother t-shirt” for a five year old?