Hi friends! In between Christmas baking and holiday festivities, we're finally underway with baby #2's nursery! In case you missed it, check out this little guy's nursery plans here.
Earlier this week, we finally bought a crib... hootie hoo! We've also picked out and ordered the wall paint and have a few other details started, as well. It's about time! This baby will make his appearance in the next eight or so weeks! I know, crazy pants.
But, my friends, we've run across a roadblock.
The dang glider.
When David and I were planning HDawg's nursery, we decided to splurge and get a Pottery Barn glider. And, honestly, it's been worth every penny. When H was an infant, we spent maaaanay hours in the chair, nursing and rocking him to sleep. Even now, the chair is large enough where we can snuggle up with H next to us to read books, rock him before bedtime (we generally lay him down awake at night, but spend a few minutes rocking and singing to him before he lays down) and hold him in the middle of the night when he doesn't feel well. It's seriously great.
Part of our decision to splurge on this piece was that we could use it for other kids down the road. And then we decided to have another baby like two minutes later. What do you do when you have two babies?! Do we pass on the glider to the new baby? How would we rock H at night? Where would we read him books? I think we're leaning towards letting H keep his glider and doing something new for baby #2. But we're not ready to spend an arm and a leg! Especially on a piece of furniture that we won't have any need for in a few years. So this is where I need your help. What should we do? Here are a few of our options.
Go cheap. Just grab the least expensive option like one of these wooden gliders. This is clearly the best bang for our buck, but I honestly am so spoiled by the comfortable PB glider that I feel I will be so uncomfortable in this chair. And the last thing you want in the middle of a late-night nursing session is to be uncomfortable. But, this would easily keep us under a $200 budget.
DIY a chair. There are some incredible DIY glider tutorials out there. Most start with a basic $200 Ikea chair and then you add on the parts of an old recliner/rocker. I've tested the Ektorp and it's... eh. Plus there's the hassle of purchasing not only one, but two chairs, and then assembling the glider based on the do-it-yourself tutorials. I feel like this could be a $300-$350 process?
Bite the bullet and buy another nice glider. We can't afford another PB version, but what if we bought something like this (obviously not in pink)? It looks very comfortable and priced pretty reasonably. But we'd still probably be out somewhere in the neighborhood of $400-$500.
Buy a loveseat for HDawg's room. And then, of course, put the PB glider in baby #2's room. This would give our family a place to sit in H's room, which is large enough that we've also designated it the main play room in our house. Family reading sessions on the love seat? I like! Another plus about this option is that the piece would be more versatile to use around the house down the road. But, we lose the rocking element. Although maybe some of you seasoned moms out there think that H will outgrow the rocking soon? Another negative is that this option will run us somewhere in the neighborhood of $500ish.
David's not too keen on thrifting a glider... I know what kind of gross stuff has been spit up on our glider (which, thankfully, we can wash because it's slip covered) and it makes us a little hesitant to have a used piece for our little bambinos to cuddle up into.
Okay, so what do you think? WHY can't I have my cake glider and eat it too?! Any other options that you can think of that we're missing? HELP!
Go to the Comfortable Chair Store in Roswell. You can Google it to find it. You will walk in the owner will see you and then she will tell you the best chair for you! I'm 5' tall and I purchased a guidling, swivel, recliner for the same prcie as a typical glider. Turns out me and my babies like reclining more than gliding, but I love that I have options. The have tons of costum fabrics and they are able to get them made much quicker than any other store I've found.
ReplyDeleteOh that's good to know! I will check them out. Thanks, Oliva!
DeleteWhat about Craigslist?
ReplyDeleteI see the last paragraph now:) Totally agree--babies can be so gross:) In that case, I'd just get another nice glider--you'll regret buying a cheap one--it won't be comfortable for those late nights and early mornings.
DeleteI know, Craigslist is usually my go to! There's just something about recycling someone else's kid-used upholstery that makes me cringe : ) Thanks for the insight! xo
DeleteI would move the PB glider to the new baby. It's tried and true, and who wants to deal with something new when you are tired and exhausted and feeding a baby in the middle of the night? And that's what you planned to do when you purchased it. HDawg can get something new for his room, whether a loveseat or something else and it might even end up being more suitable to his needs as he gets older. Maybe a really huge stuffed armchair for cuddling and reading?
ReplyDeleteI think you're on track! Definitely good advice, thank you!
DeleteI don't know about you, but I didn't need to "rock" Noah to sleep until he was a few months old. When he was a very little baby he would just fall asleep sitting in any chair. We also splurged on our glider, so I can't give you advice on a good "cheap" chair. But I would maybe hold off getting anything until you find that you really need to rock the baby to sleep. At that point, HDawg might not really need a gliding chair and you could make do with the couch or regular chair option.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point. I'm not even sure H needs the rocking... it's probably all a Michelle/David habit!!
DeleteI am in the same boat!! I am in love with the PB gliders, but I refuse to spend that much. And we still use ours for our 18 month old every night. I loooooove the idea of that DIY, I think you just solved my dilema!! THANK YOU!! :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out best chairs. We ordered one from a regular furniture store, picked our own fabric, etc and it was 300. They have a storytime collection, but we ordered just a regular old swivel glider from their everyday furniture. Hope that helps. We got ours from Cadwell Furniture in Cadwell, Georgia. They have excellent prices, and you may be able to get a local to your store to price match. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, checking them out right now! Thanks for the advice!
DeleteHere are the ones I am talking about...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.besthf.com/best/Furniture/Chairs/Swivel-Glide
I think moving the PB chair to the baby's room, and then buying something else for HDawg's room is your best bet. It doesn't have to rock right? You could even buy something you know you'd use as actual furniture later? We bought one similar to the first glider you mentioned at the very top for our son's room. I wish we had gone with something larger and more cushy, but space and our budget didn't allow that. It's been really well used though and we'll give it away when we no longer need to do any rocking.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to rock... I think..maybe... ha! Can you tell we don't know what we want/need over here? It's so hard to change up what is working for us now! #wishywashy
DeletePS Good luck! I can't wait to see what you chose!
ReplyDeleteMy friend found a great, comfortable, and inexpensive one at either Wal-Mart or K-Mart last year!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colleen that I would bring a loveseat into HDawg's room once the baby arrives and you want to rock with the newborn. Seems like it has the most long-term potential! he might be excited about having "big boy" furniture!
ReplyDeleteWe had that exact Target glider! I used it for 4 years with Jackson, then moved it to Sloan's room for another 4 years. I thought it was comfy, and loved that it didn't take up a lot of space (or cost a fortune). I have to disclose tho, that I would not spend long periods of time in it. I was a 'get up, feed them in rocker, put them back in crib, go back to my own bed' kind of nurser...know what I mean? So I didn't need it to be a 'second bed.' I can't believe you're already 8 weeks out!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei also bought a target glider that I still love - my little guy is 14 months and we still read and rock in it at bed time. it is super comfortable and looks nice too. i think it was 350ish. good luck!
DeleteYes, I think the glider should move to the baby's room and then get HDawg something that can grow with the family. I imagine a loveseat or oversize arm chair could always be moved to the playroom or family room down the line.
ReplyDeleteDo y'all still rock E? I think the rocking is just OUR habit, not H's preference!
DeleteAH! I am in the same boat! I've been hoping and praying that PB puts its gliders or rockers on deep discount over the holidays, but no such luck so far. I did find a glider at JcPenney that has good reviews, looks similar to the PB ones, and costs much less. Its called the "Jorden Glider".
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you decide!
Jen
Oh that is a nice version, especially at $425! Let me know if you see it on sale : )
DeleteI like the idea of getting something new for hdawg's room and putting the glider in the baby's room - I think after having the luxury of the PB glider anything else might feel like a waste so hopefully this way you can have the best of both worlds! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCraigslist. Those things are all over. Why buy new?
ReplyDeleteAnd per your last graf on the grossness of secondhand: buy a glider similar to the first one you show with completely detachable cushions and either throw 'em in the washer or just make some new ones. Pretty simple sewing project or easy to contract out to someone local. Easy peasy and gives you a few blog posts to boot.
ReplyDeleteHa! Very true. Now just to find the time and energy to break out a sewing project like that ; ) Definitely a good idea, though. Thank you!
Deletewe have the delta bently glider and LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.busygirlblog.com/2013/07/jakes-nursery-tour-in-progress.html
VERY cute! Glad to hear you like that chair, it's a contender!
Deletedefinitely move the rocker to the babies room and invest in some other type of chair/loveseat that you can all enjoy in his big boy room.
ReplyDeleteCan you buy something for HDawg's room that could be used as seating now and turned into his big boy bed later? Sort of like a daybed? I know he is still far from that transition, but you would at least have a comfortable and eventually functional piece in his room.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely an idea... I'm loving the Ikea day bed for that! Hm, we shall see!
DeleteI would move the glider to the new baby's room and find a new chair for HDawg's room. We found a great reading chair that was pretty inexpensive at a furniture warehouse. Plus, he'll be in a big boy bed soon and you can snuggle in there too.
ReplyDeleteI say move the glider to the new baby's room because you are going to be spending your way many hours with the new baby, rocking and nursing. Put a cheap option or couch for your older child!
ReplyDeleteSince you are considering a love seat for HDawg's room, what about a daybed? It would be as useful as a loveseat and then do double duty as a big boy bed to transition to or if you have a visitor, it could be fun for the first sleepover.
ReplyDeleteI would totes move the PB glider to the baby's room and get HDawg something new! I'm due around the same time as you (Valentine's Day!) and we got this glider from Target for $450. http://www.target.com/p/little-castle-charleston-swivel-glider-solid/-/A-14236372 It was the cheapest, yet nicest option I could find that wasn't one of those (pardon my French) UGLY wooden gliders. It's not slipcovered, which I'm a tiny bit worried about, but I think I'll have plenty of burp cloths on hand anytime we're using it. If you use it for HDawg, though, hopefully having a slipcovered chair won't be as important. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I will check that one out. Thanks, Jenna!
DeleteI kind of like the loveseat idea! also, here's another DIY that looks pretty simple:http://interiorsbykenz.com/ikea-hack-strandmon-rocker-diy-wingback-rocking-chair/
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, that's an incredible DIY! Thanks for sharing, S! : )
DeleteBest chair brand makes very reasonably priced glider/rockers. And very comfortable. We have one that's 4.5 years old, lots of hours of nursing, rocking, and reading, and it's still just as comfortable.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a friend who would be willing to lend you their baby glider for a while? It'd be used, but at least you would know who it was coming from and any stains etc. on it wouldn't seem so yucky!
ReplyDeleteHeidi
We bought this little castle glider from target. Spent about $350, but you can catch it on sale for $300 sometimes and then use a redcard for another 5% off. We absolutely love it! Super comfy and not too big :) http://www.target.com/p/little-castle-swivel-glider-assorted-colors/-/A-12352762#prodSlot=medium_1_15&term=little+castle+glider
ReplyDeleteAh, that's a cute one! Thanks, Lisa! We need to meet your little guy sometime soon : )
Deletei didn't read the other comments…so this may have been suggested: put the nice glider in the new nursery and do a less expensive rocker in your other babe's room. however…i fully, 100% vote on buying a versatile piece of furniture. i love the idea of the couch or even a chair and a half. i'll definitely be purchasing a versatile piece for our next babe.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea! When I was pregnant with our first child, I really wanted the PB rocker look without the price tag and searched high and low (and high and low!) to find something. Can you believe that I found it at walmart.com?!?! Seriously. Check out the Dorel slipcovered rocking chair; I'd highly recommend. We have had it for almost 3 years and I have nursed, rocked, and/or cuddled now TWO children in it daily and still absolutely love it. The only downfall is that it doesn't rock the best on carpet; a glider is definitely smoother. However, we really aren't bothered by this and it has worked well for us! The fabric cleans up beautifully with just a damp cloth (we have the beige color) and for what it's worth, it comfortably fits me (5'8") and my husband (6'2"). Hope that helps!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion! I think we're leaning towards gliders and not rockers but I will definitely check it out. Thanks!
DeleteWe found a great glider on Craigslist for $75 in prime condition, it took a little digging and checking the site weekly for a few weeks, but it prevailed. I'd recommend at least a look!
ReplyDeleteWe have 3 boys (6, 3 and 18 months). The two older boys share a room. We have our glider with the baby and a love seat with the older 2. It has been the best! We were lucky enough to get a family hand-me-down loveseat that worked for us. But I highly recommend it for family bedtime reading. With your 2 boys so close in age, I bet their bedtimes will come together pretty quickly. If you have the room, I would go for it. And just as a data point, we don't really rock with our 18 month old anymore. If we do, it's more for me than him...
ReplyDelete