I’m breaking my own rule here by writing a new post before any one has commented on the last boring one, but I think it’s time to move on. As I’m now in the midst of week 29 (or, I suppose, really week 30 because I have completed 29 weeks, just as I have completed 36 years — zoinks!), I’m starting to get a little panicky about all of the things that we have to do and would like to get done before Baby Girl Sweet Potato arrives. We are really not ready. I know a lot of people say that — and I have even heard more experienced parents talk with pride about how the crib wasn’t put together until mom’s water broke — but I am pretty serious about it and starting to get stressed. I would like the crib together well before I am calling triage at the hospital to tell them I’m on my way. I would like the changing table/dresser ready to go before I’m making sure the camera battery is charged. So, this week is a big week for us. AO has taken the week off (because he always seems to have more vacation time than I) and is going to put together a bunch of things we bought at Ikea a few weeks ago. Among these items are the crib and aforementioned changing table/dresser but are also two bookshelves we hope are going to work magic in our living room. You see, Dear Reader, we live in a one-bedroom condo. So, and I’ll do the math for you here, we are soon going to have three humans and a dog in a one-bedroom condo. I’m really not too worried about this — we have plenty of space — but it’s going to take some creativity and — and I’m mentally preparing for this — some serious trial and error.
Ok, that aside, this week I’m also trying to focus on a chair for our nursery-area. For the most part, I am convinced that we would really like a glider chair. I have read a bit of info suggesting a glider isn’t really necessary and instead we can just rock the baby in our arms in a regular chair, but I think a glider — I’ll take the extra help with rocking, thank you — is the way to go for us. I started my search weeks ago, but have amped up my efforts in the last week. I have looked at Overstock.com, Target, Ikea, Room & Board, Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, Rosenberry Rooms, Babies ‘R’ Us, Hayneedle, and more. I have even looked into how to add a glider mechanism to any old chair and emailed a local upholster to ask him if he could do that for us. I have alternated between the mindset that I am willing to spend a lot of money (telling myself chairs are expensive and it will nicely balance out the frugality we exhibited when we bought our $99 crib) and heeding the call of the thrifty siren (telling myself there are a million other things we need to buy and a chair is not the place to spend any extra dough). There is also the issue of space and design. I would like something fairly compact — nothing oversized — and with simple lines; something upholstered without any bells and whistles. I’m drawn to designs like this chair from West Elm (priced at $599, but 20% off for the next few days):
I also very much like this more expensive sweetheart from Room & Board ($999):
An example of one that I am not at all interested in? This chair from Babies ‘R’ Us looks quite comfortable and is nicely affordable at $199, but is a bit too busy for my eye:
There is an additional issue. I would really like to buy something made in the US or, at least, Canada. But I have not decided how committed I am to this. What I mean is, I have not ruled out buying something made elsewhere. I recognize I have already bought a million things that are made in countries other than ours, so why put my foot down on this one? On the other hand, furniture — and good furniture — is something that is still made here in this country and perhaps I should have the moral and ethical code to insist that at least something in the nursery is made in these parts. And if not the chair, then what? Narrowing my purchase choice down to one made in the USA has the added advantage of, well, narrowing my choices down.
Hmm. Ok, this has been helpful. Writing things down really helps me make decisions! Thank you, Dear Reader, for I think I will indeed refocus my glider search on a made-in-this-country option. Any suggestions you have, though, would be more than appreciated.
life and puppies 
I love both the West Elm and the Room & Board one! The R&B chair looks especially cozy, which I would think would be nice under the circumstances as well. I appreciate your desire to get something North American made, but I think more than anything you should feel free to get something your simply love. You and your sweet potato deserve something scrumptious and beautiful and perfect to rock away in!
I love the R&B rocker and glider. But the glider will take up more room. But propping up your feet is great. Is the chair going in your bedroom or hers?
Well, the R&B option is made in the USA, but it is pricey. I think it’ll last forever, though. The chair goes is baby’s bedroom. I have been measuring everything I look at and there actually isn’t too much variation. I am very close to making a decision! (she says after more than five hours of online looking just today alone).
I have learned quite a bit about gliders. Pottery Barn, Land of Nod, and Crate & Barrel all offer made in the USA options. I think everything at Room & Board is American-made. It is possible, though, to find less expensive options that are still made here in this country, which is great. Brands like Little Castle, Harmony Kids & Rock-a-bye glider are all made right here at home! Well, not in my home, and not in Wisconsin, but still – you get the point.
Hee hee, yes, not in your home. Well, you will no doubt pick the perfect one, as you have impeccable taste. I love that everything R&B is made in the USA, and good to know that some less expensive ones are as well. You and BSP will be so cute gliding away!
In other news, someone is definitely playing music very loudly in my building. It sounds like some sort “jam session.” Needless to say, I dislike.
A jam session? Yes, what is to like about that? That’s very uncool. It’s the day after Christmas and it is time for quiet reflection. Or 7 straight hours looking at chairs. Or other activities that don’t involve disturbing others.
Anyway, chair = purchased! Finally! Cross that off the list. I’m not sure it’s the right one — it was around $550 (we found it for $200 less if we’d pick it up at Wal-mart and even though it’s made in the US, I just can’t bring myself to do that). I still adore the Room & Board one, but I figure this one will be fine. It’s cute and it’s fairly practical, it’s gotten great reviews and I won’t cry when I spit up all over it because it wasn’t $1k.
Yeah–I couldn’t go to walmart for $200 either! Way to keep your principles intact! And now every time you rock her, you won’t be thinking about how you sold out…
But seriously–what does said chair look like? I’ll check back later–I just rocked a poopy out of my baby, and I’ve gotta go clean him up. On the changing pad that is on my bedroom floor, next to the (still unassembled) crib…
Wahahahaahhaha! Oh, Andra — I’m so happy you have kids. You’re the model of how I hope to be — being funny about things and not. taking. everything. so. damn. seriously.
and I sooooooooooo appreciate the walmart backing. I was all worried last night I was being a complete idiot and maybe shouldn’t have bought the chair at all, but I keep telling myself I would easily pay $200 not to have to go to Walmart and making AO tell me it was a good decision so I’m breathing a little easier today.
I want to post a pic of the chair, but I think I’ll wait till we get it and I can see it otherwise I’ll worry you’ll all say, “Oh, yes, that’s nice” and really be making gagging motions on your side of the screen. I realize you may do that when the chair is in my house, too, but I think I’ll feel less buyer’s remorse once it’s physically with me — when I buy something on the interwebs and worry, the worry is usually worse than when I have it in my actual hands. Or in my actual living room. Plus, it’s ivory-colored and I know my mother will have lots to say about that.
Ok, you were definitely in the right. Hell, I would pay $200 for you not to go to Wal-Mart!
As for the chair I can’t wait to see pics! I understand the choice to wait until you have it in your hot little hands. Rest assured, I am good with ivory.
Ah yes and the rockers & their jam session finally shut up. Thank you for understanding. The day after Christmas is indeed a day for quiet and reflection. It’s also a day for me to go see Ghost Protocol, which I did, and I enjoyed thoroughly. Merry Boxing Day to me!
Hooray for adorable gliders made in the USA!
Yeah to buying a chair for the nursery. Having a special place to rock the munchkin is so important and rocking at bedtime was always my most favorite time of the day. How exciting this is all getting to be. I can’t wait to see the chair and the nursery.
I can’t wait to show you pictures and, more importantly, for you to meet the little munchkin! I can’t believe how soon she is going to be here!
Thanks for checking us out! Let us know if we can help with your decision. 🙂