Preparing for Baby

We don't need much stuff for the new baby. Honestly, we don't "need" anything for the new baby. Having had 5 children already, and three in the past 5 years, means we pretty much have everything we "need", and then some. However, there are always things on the "want" or "would be nice to have" list that can be bought.
This time around, we decided that we probably should replace our infant carseat, since the one we have has gone through 3 babies in 5 years, each using it for at least 10-12 months. It's worn, and 5 years old, and I'd feel better if we got a new one. We had gotten the old one as a stroller/seat combo, and wondered if we should trade the whole thing in and replace it (BabiesRUs/ToysRUs recently had a baby gear trade in program that got us thinking about this) or just get the new carseat. As we thought it over, we thought it would be nice to upgrade our double stroller, as the single hasn't had as much use over the past 5 years. It's not really a "need" because we do have a double stroller. However, the one we have, we got second hand about 6 years ago, when my 2nd daughter was 2, and my nephew was 8 months old. I had just quit my job to stay home again, pre-wedding to Ward, and started babysitting my 2 nephews (8 month old Drew, and 4 year old Raymond who I had babysat before) and had my 5 year old and 2 year old daughters. I thought the double would be useful, but didn't want to pay full price for a new one, since I didn't know HOW useful. :) So...$40 used double, and I have used it to pieces in the past 6 years, with my own children, plus my nephews. It has literally taken a beating, and is still going. However, it has developed a few issues recently. One of the wheels is starting to crack and is a little bent, we've completely lost the trays and bars that make it safe and easy to snap an infant seat into, and it's starting, finally, to get rickety. But I imagine it is at least 8, maybe 10 years old, depending on how long the person who had it before me acutally used it. I know I have gotten my $40 worth out of it, and then some. :)
So...replace the double stroller, replace the old carseat... with that in mind, we decided maybe we could just create our own travel system with double stroller and matching carseat. Over the past few weeks, we've done a little looking, and watching for coupons. Last week we found a good 20% off coupon, and today we took advantage of it. We used a little of our bonus money to get the new double stroller now, as we can get some use out of it with Amanda and Ethan before our new little Peanut arrives, and we will get the matching carseat towards the end of June.
I write all this to share...my dear little Ethan is IN LOVE with this new stroller. We got it all snapped together, and let Mandy and Ethan try it out, and Daddy took them for a short walk in the neighborhood. Ethan refused to get out when they got back, and cried when I took him out. He climbed right back in when we put it in the house, and even figured out that his sippy cup fits perfectly in the little cup holder. He's still sitting in the darn thing right now, just jabbering away and smiling. :) I'm glad he likes it...I hope it gets as much use and love as the last double did, since we paid full price (minus coupon) for this one! :)
I need to get my camera battery charged, and I will share a picture of Ethan in his new double stroller! :)