Pram and Mothercare Outlet

 On Saturday we went to the Mothercare outlet in Rotherham--there are only 2 outlets (the other is near Edinburgh), so we're lucky to have one relatively nearby (38 miles). It was amazing--good selection and really low prices. We're definitely going to have to go back after the baby arrives!

 We managed to get the pram we've been wanting, in the colour we wanted, for an amazing deal. It had just come in that morning from a baby product show, and since it was ex-display and last year's model, we got it for less than half price! The manager swapped the colour pack for the one we wanted, too--I'd given up hope of getting this navy and white stripe one, because it was this year's model and it was out of stock on the Mothercare website, but she was happy to change it over for us.

 There are 4 different configurations, depending on the age of the kid: 1) Pram (the UK standard is that babies should travel lying down flat in the pram until they can sit up on their own, around 6 months--seems a bit over the top to me, but I love the classic carriage look! Also, I didn't get a picture facing into the pram, but it has a cushioned white liner when it's in that configuration), 2) Parent-facing Pushchair (above & below)

 Biscuit has been sniffing the pram since we brought it in, so we stuck her in the seat for a quick photo--she's left it alone ever since!

 3) Outward-facing Pushchair, with or without "cosytoe" (foot-cover that zips on/off the seat liner)

  

















4) Infant Car Seat on the base--we left the car seat in the car, so this is the website photo (as you can see, this year's model has a brown handle and black frame but is the same as last year's black handle/silver frame model otherwise). The car seat is just plain black, as the colour pack only involves the liners/hood/cosytoe/chest straps. The colour pack can be replaced for just £50 (or £35 at the outlet), so it would be cheap and easy to freshen up the pram for a second kid someday down the road.

The travel system also came with a raincover, which I always think makes the kid look like they're in a big clear plastic bubble for medical reasons, but they're very popular in the UK and they really do make a lot of sense with the changeable weather here.

We got a lot of great deals on clothes, toys and bottles, too. I'll be posting more pictures once we get the nursery sorted out over Easter break, but in the meantime, this was one of our favourite bargains. We got a very cuddly, fluffy bear snowsuit to keep the baby warm when we visit Minnesota, marked down from £32 to £12! The little feet and hands (or paws) attach with buttons, so they can be taken off, too. It came up on the receipt as a "boys bear suit", but Richard and I agreed that any outfits that make the baby look like a stuffed animal are probably gender-neutral.