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Grateful in VA
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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Ok, here's the situation.
Over the years my neighbor has handed down a lot of clothes to us. We have always been grateful and used most everything she sent over. She had led me to believe that they were done having children so when my boys outgrew the clothes I passed them on to my cousin for her new son. Now my neighbor is having another boy...soon.
I don't have alot of money to spend, but I want to get her something. She has saved me so much money with all of her generosity.
Any ideas? Do I get something for the baby or the mom?
Help!
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 9:35am | IP Logged
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So, how old are her kids - maybe something like babysitting her kids before/during/after the birth, bringing dinners over . . . things that don't cost - but would be invaluable to her.
Barb
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Grateful in VA
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 9:48am | IP Logged
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Well her oldest, a daughter, is 13. Her other 2, boys, are 10 and 4. Honestly sometimes her daughter comes over here to help keep an eye on my kids so I can get some stuff done. 
I guess I could still offer to help if she needs a break when her daugher isn't around.
I like the idea of taking meals over.
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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Great ideas, Barb! And I totally second them as being of most help (for me, at least).
Does she still have any clothing for the baby? If not, I'd think the most helpful thing would be something for him. If she does, maybe some nursing clothing for her? (That can be kind of expensive so maybe a gift card?)
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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JennGM
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 9:52am | IP Logged
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If she's nursing, my favorite gift is the nursing cover.
My other standby is a Gymboree cotton blanket, the larger size is better.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
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stellamaris
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 10:30am | IP Logged
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You might offer to watch the younger boys so she can have a "girls' day" with her daughter. I know this is the kind of gift I would really appreciate.
Also, along the lines of free gifts, after the baby is born you could help her with laundry or do a grocery shopping trip for her.
I certainly don't think you need to "repay" her for all the hand-me-downs. I'm sure she doesn't expect that and also you probably did her a favor taking outgrown clothes off her hands! Just get her the kind of gift you would get a good friend having a baby--a baby outfit, blanket, diapers, etc.
Now that I think of it, I was in a similar situation having given away my baby clothes when my twins were born. The best purchased gifts in that situation were baby clothes, since I had none!
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Caroline
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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I agree with MEALS! Take food over, or, maybe even better, have her kids over to eat supper with your family a few times and maybe stay for a movie or games so she and her husband can have some alone time with the new baby and each other.
It's nice that you are so close that you could do that.
If you do buys clothes, maybe buy some in larger sizes? I always got so many newborn sizes which were quickly outgrown and nothing for the future.
Diapers? Dipaers.com will deliver. A gift card might be nice.
Oh- and make sure she signs up for Amazon Mom! She might not know about it if her kids are older.
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ekbell
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 11:13am | IP Logged
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Along the idea of a girl's day would be a Pamper Package. A set of her favorite small luxuries for enjoying with baby and oldest daughter.
My thirteen year old dd loves tea time. So for us a set of small gifts designed to facilite tea time and pamper the senses, as well as the offer of babysitting the younger children, would be lovely. Say a nice tea, snacks, candles, and music in a basket.
As for baby, my favorite item with all my babies has been a Baby Bee package of toiletries along with a nice baby towel and soft washcloths.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 11:36am | IP Logged
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baby clothes if she doesn't have any, and a meal or help with laundry.. those were the two things that my dh and older kids needed the most help with when I was in the hospital. But anything to help out would be good. Besides you know ids will work better for someone else than mom  so going over to help for a bit might get the kids doing more while you're there too.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Grateful in VA
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the great ideas! You have definitely given me a lot to think about. I'm ashamed to admit that after 8 years of living here I don't know any of their prefrences; foods, diaper brands, do they like tea etc. I suppose it's time I take a more active interest in my neighbors. It's a big wake up call for me. I really want to take advantage of this opportunity to be less of an introvert.
I'd like to set better example of love thy neighbor for my kids. I certainly haven't given them a very good example yet.
Sorry for rambling on.
I had better get a move on... she is due on the 22nd...of Dec.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 16 2011 at 2:13pm | IP Logged
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Invite the daughter over.. if she's anything like mine she'll be more than happy to tell you a lot of those answers to help you out in making/giving the "right" things.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: What would you get?
