Having a Girl After 2 Boys

Austin Mothers of Multiples has a big sale twice a year (next one is coming up on April 9th). It's like a giant multi-family garage sale, with all baby and kid stuff, there. Now that my oldest is 7, pickings are more slim for her clothing, but in prior years, I've found AWESOME deals there. They also have strollers, carseats, bedding, etc.
http://www.austinmoms.org/childrens_resale.html

Congratulations, and I'll see you there!
M.

I had two boys, then a girl. I said I would never go overboard with pink and ruffles! But, to be honest, I was excited for a little pink! :) I kept everything as far as equipment. The car seat was navy blue with stars- didn't feel the need for a more neutral or pink change, there. You will get cute girl clothes, I'm sure, but everything else will be fine to keep. I used the boys' blue jammies, etc for my daughter. Like others have said, she doesn't know the difference. As far as toys, I didn't change that up, much, either. Rattles are rattles and blocks are blocks. My daughter was a tomboy, so we didn't really do much for dolls and girl toys, anyway. Wait until she's older to spen any money on that stuff. Yours could end up a tomboy, too. (Just to elaborate- my daughter DID have some of the doll stuff, given to her on birthdays by friends, etc. but never took to it. So, she was given the opportunity to like them, but didn't).

Good luck and congratulations!!

Congratulations! I think if I were in your position I would try to find a local thrift shop and load up on some cute clothes:) I would also get a cute bedroom set, like butterflies or whatever. Everything else should be fine to re-use. A car seat is a car seat in my opinion;) Strollers, bouncers, swings all that stuff is just kid friendly, doesn't matter what gender. If you have a shower you will probably get some adorable girly things, and you should be good to go :)

I would just use the stuff you have left over from the boys, I mean is the baby really going to care if her bed is blue rather than pink!

Try to restrain yourself from buying a ton of little ruffled lacy outfits for her, they are so impractical. (Plus everyone else will buy them for you anyway.) If you saved your boys baby clothes, first pull out anything neutral that she could wear, it will save you a ton of time & money. With 2 older brothers, she will probably be a tom-girl, you can probably skip dresses & bows except for special occasions.

If you still have your infant car seat or stroller, you can buy replacement covers in a girly print instead of replacing the whole thing.

Congrats!

You can probably use the same stuff, for the most part. I did with my daughter. Of course, with any new baby you get some newer toys and things... they will probably be more girl oriented. But don't go too far overboard with it. My daughter is very much a tom-boy and has NEVER played with any type of dolls. She is 10 now and a Barbie that was given to her (even after I warned her aunt that she doesn't really play with dolls) is at this moment thumtacked to her wall. LOL That is pretty much the extent of her "doll playing". She LOVES, however, any stuffed animal and slept with different special dogs over the years. Beginning with Pluto.

So, you'll be fine. Use what you have, supplement when you need something new, and then follow her lead as to how "girly" she wants to be.

Don't get caught in the trap of keeping up with the Joneses. As a teacher, I see so many girls that have been brought up with the comparison mentality. Use a lot of what you have. You can always add a bow or iron on an applique to solid colored clothes. Go to thrift stores and you will find some that have a "boutique" section for nicer clothes for special occasions (pictures, etc.). My daughter grew up going to thrift stores and saw the advantage of getting more for your money instead of having to settle for cheap. It's all in the attitude. Now she just got married and her husband is so surprised by her bargain-hunting ability!

Be sure to ask your friends with daughters where they find the best bargains. You are sure to get some hand-me-downs!

As she grows up into toddlerhood, take her to the store and see what she is drawn to. Is she a mommy-type and drawn to dolls? Does she like balls (like my daughter)? Does she like to push things like a kid stroller or shopping cart? Don't buy things and assume she will love them because she is a girl. Garage sales are great places to get things, too. You can't spend too much on little stuff.

As for them being babies, you need the same things, she can wear blue sleepers and use the same baby stuff you already have. Of course, buy a few pink clothes, but they outgrow them so fast and you will get a ton of gifts, be careful not to overspend. I found that after 2 babies using stuff, we did need to replace a few things with our third, but we already had a boy and a girl, then another boy.

You should buy for your baby girl the same things that you would buy if it were a baby boy. I also have two boys and 8 weeks ago had a baby girl.
The only difference is having "girl" clothes! But, when we found out it was a girl we immediately started garage sale shopping! We got online (craigslist) and would look and see if anyone was having a garage sale on the weekend and if they advertised that they were selling girls clothes. I can not tell you how many cute baby Gap, HannahAnderson, H & M, Children's Place ect outfits we got for $1 or less. Also, if you have friends that have little girls they may be looking to give you some things and your friends may KNOW people that are looking to get rid of girl clothes. We hardly bought any new clothes and she is set up until 2T clothes!
Butt Paste, diapers, shampoo, Q-tips, thermometer, binkies, bottles (or nursing pads)...ect...all that is the same!
L.